Oberkehr Becomes Softball’s First New Balance/NFCA Golden Shoe Award Recipient

5/21/2025 7:30:00 PM | By: Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Embry-Riddle Softball's golden baserunner joined rare company on Wednesday night as Leah Oberkehr received the New Balance/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Golden Shoe Award for the NCAA II. Created in 2014, the distinction is bestowed on the student-athlete who was voted as the top base stealer.

Oberkehr becomes the first in program history and the first student-athlete in the Sunshine State Conference to earn the prestigious award.

The junior was a base-stealing threat all season long, finishing with 50 stolen bases in 51 attempts for a .980 stolen base percentage over 47 games. She ranked first in stolen bases per game (1.06) in the division among those who played 10 or more contests and was second in total bases stolen. In 2025, Oberkehr broke the program's single-game (5) and single-season stolen base records and finished her season seventh on the SSC's single-season stolen base list.

Additionally, the Ponte Vedra, Florida native produced a team-high 42 runs and 18 RBI with a .335 batting average.

This award comes after Oberkehr was named to the All-SSC Second Team as an outfielder earlier in May.

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