Marshall University Athletics
Harrell Named a Senior CLASS Award Finalist
4/15/2022 11:36:00 AM | Softball
Fifth-year senior leader on and off the field
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall softball fifth-year senior Aly Harrell was named a Senior CLASS Award finalist on Tuesday. Harrell becomes the third Herd softball player to be named to the final 10.
Ten NCAA student-athletes who excel both on and off the field were selected as finalists for the 2022 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as NCAA Division I seniors or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character, and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their athletic platforms to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The finalists were chosen by a selection committee from the list of 30 candidates announced earlier this season. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website through May 23. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winner.
The Senior CLASS Award recipient will be announced prior to the 2022 NCAA Women's College World Series in early June.
Harrell is also the third student-athlete from Marshall chosen as a finalist during the 2021-22 calendar school year. Vitor Dias and Pedro Dolabella were named finalists for men's soccer in October. Other Herd student-athletes who have been selected to the final 10 were Jon Elmore in men's basketball in 2018-19, Morgan Zerkle in softball in 2017 and the first was Rachel Folden for softball in 2008.
Harrell has been with the Herd since 2017-18 and was granted a fifth year of eligibility after the 2020 COVID season. The Gahanna, Ohio, native chose to stay at Marshall to continue her education as well as a record-breaking career that will be remembered as one of the greatest in team history. Academically, Harrell is working toward her post baccalaureate in the college of science.
The lefty-slugger has appeared in 204 games with 199 starts in her time at Marshall and has only missed just a handful of games. Harrell ranks among the best in Herd history in the top 10 in numerous career categories. Entering Saturday's game against FIU, she ranks first all-time in on base percentage (.563) and walks (160), second in hit-by-pitches (48), third in home runs (47), doubles (47), RBI (160), total bases (396) and fielding percentage (.988), fourth in slugging percentage (.750), fifth in batting average (.394), eighth in runs scored (132), and tied for ninth in hits (208). Harrell is also the third toughest to strikeout in team history with just 35 in 528 at bats.
Harrell's eye at the plate has been tremendous throughout her career. On March 26 at home against Middle Tennessee, she earned her 148th career walk, breaking the all-time record that had been by Folden since 2008. Harrell broke Folden's record in 31 fewer games.
She has picked up numerous awards throughout her career. Harrell is a three-time All-Conference USA First Team selection, even picking up the honor as a freshman in 2018. She was also named the 2018 C-USA Freshman of the Year after batting .350 with 42 hits, 10 doubles, 11 home runs, 41 RBI, slugging .708 and had a .480 on base percentage. She is a three-time All-Region honoree and led the NCAA in total walks (68) and combined free passes with 85 (68 walks and 17 hit-by-pitches) in 2019.
When Harrell arrived at Marshall, she began her career as a quiet leader. Leading by example. Over the last few years she has become more vocal as a leader for the team and she is a player that the underclassmen constantly look up to. Harrell always has a good attitude and is one of the first ones to celebrate when her teammates succeed.
Over her time in Huntington, Harrell has volunteered at the VA Hospital and the Hoops Children's Hospital. She has spent time with the Huntington Little League team and still spends time with them when she can as so many little girls look up to her. One of her favorite activities has been to walk dogs at the local animal shelter. Harrell has helped with the Marshall Sweetheart Clinic where athletes from the women's teams with the Herd come together and work with many younger girls from the area, teaching them about the sport they play and showcasing drills.
2022 Senior CLASS Award Softball Finalists
Meghan Beaubien, Michigan
Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC
Hailey Dolcini, Texas
Lynnsie Elam, Oklahoma
Aly Harrell, Marshall
Elizabeth Hightower, Florida
Gabbie Plain, Washington
Mekenzie Saban, Saint Francis
Sydney Sherrill, Florida State
Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
For all of the latest information on the Marshall Softball team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdSB, Facebook at Marshall University Softball and on www.herdzone.com.
Ten NCAA student-athletes who excel both on and off the field were selected as finalists for the 2022 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as NCAA Division I seniors or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character, and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their athletic platforms to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The finalists were chosen by a selection committee from the list of 30 candidates announced earlier this season. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website through May 23. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winner.
The Senior CLASS Award recipient will be announced prior to the 2022 NCAA Women's College World Series in early June.
Harrell is also the third student-athlete from Marshall chosen as a finalist during the 2021-22 calendar school year. Vitor Dias and Pedro Dolabella were named finalists for men's soccer in October. Other Herd student-athletes who have been selected to the final 10 were Jon Elmore in men's basketball in 2018-19, Morgan Zerkle in softball in 2017 and the first was Rachel Folden for softball in 2008.
Harrell has been with the Herd since 2017-18 and was granted a fifth year of eligibility after the 2020 COVID season. The Gahanna, Ohio, native chose to stay at Marshall to continue her education as well as a record-breaking career that will be remembered as one of the greatest in team history. Academically, Harrell is working toward her post baccalaureate in the college of science.
The lefty-slugger has appeared in 204 games with 199 starts in her time at Marshall and has only missed just a handful of games. Harrell ranks among the best in Herd history in the top 10 in numerous career categories. Entering Saturday's game against FIU, she ranks first all-time in on base percentage (.563) and walks (160), second in hit-by-pitches (48), third in home runs (47), doubles (47), RBI (160), total bases (396) and fielding percentage (.988), fourth in slugging percentage (.750), fifth in batting average (.394), eighth in runs scored (132), and tied for ninth in hits (208). Harrell is also the third toughest to strikeout in team history with just 35 in 528 at bats.
Harrell's eye at the plate has been tremendous throughout her career. On March 26 at home against Middle Tennessee, she earned her 148th career walk, breaking the all-time record that had been by Folden since 2008. Harrell broke Folden's record in 31 fewer games.
She has picked up numerous awards throughout her career. Harrell is a three-time All-Conference USA First Team selection, even picking up the honor as a freshman in 2018. She was also named the 2018 C-USA Freshman of the Year after batting .350 with 42 hits, 10 doubles, 11 home runs, 41 RBI, slugging .708 and had a .480 on base percentage. She is a three-time All-Region honoree and led the NCAA in total walks (68) and combined free passes with 85 (68 walks and 17 hit-by-pitches) in 2019.
When Harrell arrived at Marshall, she began her career as a quiet leader. Leading by example. Over the last few years she has become more vocal as a leader for the team and she is a player that the underclassmen constantly look up to. Harrell always has a good attitude and is one of the first ones to celebrate when her teammates succeed.
Over her time in Huntington, Harrell has volunteered at the VA Hospital and the Hoops Children's Hospital. She has spent time with the Huntington Little League team and still spends time with them when she can as so many little girls look up to her. One of her favorite activities has been to walk dogs at the local animal shelter. Harrell has helped with the Marshall Sweetheart Clinic where athletes from the women's teams with the Herd come together and work with many younger girls from the area, teaching them about the sport they play and showcasing drills.
2022 Senior CLASS Award Softball Finalists
Meghan Beaubien, Michigan
Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC
Hailey Dolcini, Texas
Lynnsie Elam, Oklahoma
Aly Harrell, Marshall
Elizabeth Hightower, Florida
Gabbie Plain, Washington
Mekenzie Saban, Saint Francis
Sydney Sherrill, Florida State
Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
For all of the latest information on the Marshall Softball team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdSB, Facebook at Marshall University Softball and on www.herdzone.com.
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