HAVERFORD, Pa. - The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) informed Haverford College on Monday that junior softball infielder Kaila Uyeda was the "Toughest to Strike Out" during the 2022 NCAA Division III softball campaign. Uyeda is Haverford's first statistical champion for softball. 

Among all NCAA qualifiers (minimum two at bats per game played and appearances in at least 75 percent of team's total games played), Uyeda was one of three players to not register a strikeout during the 2022 season. She split that distinction with Megan White of Skidmore and Bailey Murphy of Huntingdon, but earned the statistical crown by virtue of 112 at bats compared to 100 for White and 92 for Murphy. Teammate Abby Marquis was also in the top 10 in the category, with just one strikeout in 102 at bats.

Uyeda, appearing at the top of the order for the Fords, was a major standout offensively with a .366 average and 41 hits in those 112 at bats, scoring 23 runs and recording 12 RBI. She also swiped seven bases in nine opportunities.  

The San Diego product previously took home the distinction of Centennial Conference Gold Glove of the Year as routinely called upon to make the difficult plays look easy as Haverford's starting shortstop during her junior year. She appeared in all 34 games at the top of the Haverford order, but her defensive prowess was recognized as she helped turn eight double plays and had a team-best 71 assists, a mark good for seventh in the Centennial. Uyeda is the first Haverford player to earn the defensive honor.