Karli Godwin of East Columbus named Gatorade Softball Player of the Year in North Carolina

Godwin blasted 20 home runs and had 86 RBIs this season to set new state records

Karli Godwin of East Columbus High School is the 2022-23 Gatorade North Carolina Softball Player of the Year. 

Godwin is the first Gatorade North Carolina Softball Player of the Year to be chosen from East Columbus High School. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Godwin as North Carolina’s best high school softball player. 

Gatorade

Godwin is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award to be announced later in June.

 The senior shortstop posted a .731 batting average with 20 home runs and 86 RBIs--both of which established new state records-- this past season, leading the Gators (27-4) to the NCHSAA 1-A state semifinals.  

Godwin scored 64 runs, walked 35 times and struck out just once in 131 plate appearances. Ranked as the nation’s No. 8 recruit in the Class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball, she swiped 31 bases while posting a .809 on-base percentage and a 1.645 slugging percentage. 

Godwin has volunteered locally with the East Columbus High School special education department and the Miracle League buddy program for children with intellectual and physical challenges. She has also donated her time as a youth softball coach. 

“Karli Godwin is a special athlete and softball player,” said William Deese, head coach of Purnell Swett High School. “Defensively, she seems to make the difficult plays look easy. Offensively, she’s in another stratosphere. The ball jumps off her bat and she has power to all parts of the field. She is one of the best offensive players I have ever seen.” 

Godwin has maintained a weighted 4.27 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a national letter of intent to play softball at Oklahoma State University this fall.

Godwin joins recent Gatorade North Carolina Softball Players of the Year Kierston Deal (2021-22, East Forsyth High School), Karlyn Pickens (2020-21, North Buncombe High School), Kenna Raye Dark (2019-20, Eastern Alamance High School), and Jordan Hatch (2018-19, West Stanly High School), among the state’s list of former award winners.