May River standout, a Gamecocks signee, named SC’s top softball player
May River senior and University of South Carolina signee Kylee Gleason was named the S.C. Gatorade Softball Player of the Year on Thursday.
Gleason is the first player from May River to be named Gatorade Player of the Year in any sport. It is the seventh straight year a Gamecocks signee has won the award. Other winners during the stretch are Bailey Betenbaugh (2017, 2019) Karly Heath (2018) and Cayla Drotar (2014-16).
The 5-foot-8 senior shortstop hit .762 with four RBIs, six stolen bases, 11 runs scored and a in seven games this spring before the remainder of the season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Kylee Gleason is just ridiculously talented,” Carolina Elite softball coach Dana Fusetti said. “She’s got a great arm, tremendous wheels and a great bat. She’s known as a slap hitter, but she’s really a triple threat who can hit you a home run if she has to. She’s such a strong player to have on any roster.”
In 2019, Gleason hit .683 with two home runs, 21 RBIs, 41 runs scored and 42 stolen bases and was an all-state selection. For her career, she hit .555 and stole 134 bases.
Gleason maintained a 3.63 GPA in the classroom, is a devoted member of her church youth group, and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics and Rainbows Edge Animal Refuge.
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 9:33 AM with the headline "May River standout, a Gamecocks signee, named SC’s top softball player."
