Sides Named 2022 SEC Player of the Year

Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Photo by Blakeney Clouse 

Dora native Kendall Beth (KB) Sides has been named the 2022 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year in softball.

The former Sumiton Christian High School softball star is the first in the University of Arkansas' program history to earn the SEC Player of the Year title.

“None of this would be possible without my coaches and my team. I lead off the best lineup in the country and I had no choice but to fall in line. I’m so grateful to God for my story and for Him blessing me. It’s been one amazing, storybook year," she says.

In conference play, Sides led the SEC in hits (34) and runs scored (27) while slashing .453/.853/.543. She ranks second in league play in total bases (64), fifth in slugging percentage, fifth in walks (17), fifth in doubles (7), and 12th in RBIs with 20.

Arkansas Softball is currently 19-5 in the SEC, and 42-9 overall in the 2022 season.

Sides formerly played softball at the University of Alabama from 2018 to 2021, appearing in 184 games and making 143 starts.

KB Sides is the daughter of George and Lynn Sides, and sister to Katlyn Sides Cummings, who played softball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). 78

Stats courtesy of Arkansas Razorbacks Athletics.