Softball first baseman Kayti Grable fields Sports’ No. 6 athlete of 2013-2014, putting together a season that has her garnering consideration for the MAC Freshman of the Year award.

In her first season in DeKalb, Grable has started in all 48 games, energizing the Huskies with a powerful bat and a solid defensive presence.

Grable leads the Huskies with eight home runs, which is tied for the fourth-highest home run total in a single season in program history.

Her .990 fielding percentage is a team-best among qualified players, and it is tied for the fourth-best fielding percentage in a single season by a first baseman in NIU history.

At the plate, Grable also leads the Huskies in batting average (.378), on-base percentage (.477), slugging percentage (.628), total bases (93) and walks (23).

“I think it’s gone a little better than I expected,” Grable said. “I hoped coming in that I would be starting, and I made my goal. So, all I can do now is just keep helping the team out. But, it’s gone really well. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of playing college softball.”