Rockridge High School grad and Western Illinois University shortstop Payton Brown was named Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Co-Player of the Year this week.
Brown led the OVC in several offensive categories during conference play, including hits (48), doubles (13), total bases (89), slugging percentage (.908), and tied for first in home runs (8). She also tied the program record for most home runs in a single game back on April 7 against Tennessee State, where she hit three home runs, including a grand slam. Her 13 home runs for the season also tie her for second all-time in program history, a record that has stood since 2004.
Brown is the first Leatherneck softball player to be named conference player of the year since 2014. She was also an All-OVC first team all-conference selection.
During Brown’s three-year career at Rockridge, the Rockets went 102-1 and won three consecutive state titles from 2021-23. Her freshman season was canceled due to COVID-19. Brown hit 27 home runs in her senior season with the Rockets, an IHSA single-season record.