WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In its first-ever college player rankings, Extra Elite named Purdue shortstop Rachel Becker to its preseason top-100 players. The senior and All-Big Ten First Team honoree was selected 45th in the nation.
Becker was one of eight Big Ten student-athletes named to the preseason list, including one of just four to rank among the top-50. Purdue is joined by D1 Softball's No. 12-ranked Michigan and Minnesota as the only other Big Ten programs to boast at least one nod in the top half of the rankings.
Becker set the Purdue record with the highest single-season batting average at .479, which also checks in as the fifth-best mark by a Big Ten player in league history. Moreover, the Boilermaker set the Big Ten conference-only games record with 40 runs and 68 hits.
Not only did the junior lead the conference this season, but checked in with the fifth-highest average in the nation. In total, Becker ranked in the top-24 in the nation in five categories, including three in the top-9. In addition, the Lindenhurst, Illinois product topped the league in runs scored (40), and hits (68), while placing second in on-base percentage (.539) and doubles (18).
The shortstop started all 44 games last season, registering at least one hit in 36 games. Becker's .683 slugging percentage and 20 walks led to reaching base in 17 straight games to end the year.
Becker and the Boilermakers are set to begin the season in 24 days at the Kickin' Chicken Classic, hosted by Coastal Carolina February 11-13.
Becker was one of eight Big Ten student-athletes named to the preseason list, including one of just four to rank among the top-50. Purdue is joined by D1 Softball's No. 12-ranked Michigan and Minnesota as the only other Big Ten programs to boast at least one nod in the top half of the rankings.
Becker set the Purdue record with the highest single-season batting average at .479, which also checks in as the fifth-best mark by a Big Ten player in league history. Moreover, the Boilermaker set the Big Ten conference-only games record with 40 runs and 68 hits.
Not only did the junior lead the conference this season, but checked in with the fifth-highest average in the nation. In total, Becker ranked in the top-24 in the nation in five categories, including three in the top-9. In addition, the Lindenhurst, Illinois product topped the league in runs scored (40), and hits (68), while placing second in on-base percentage (.539) and doubles (18).
The shortstop started all 44 games last season, registering at least one hit in 36 games. Becker's .683 slugging percentage and 20 walks led to reaching base in 17 straight games to end the year.
Becker and the Boilermakers are set to begin the season in 24 days at the Kickin' Chicken Classic, hosted by Coastal Carolina February 11-13.