NFCA Division II Freshman of the Year Release

1. National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Contact: Brian Stanley, Director of Media Relations, 502-409-4600, brian@nfca.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Top 25 Finalists Announced for the Inaugural NFCA Division II National Freshman of the Year Award
April 9, 2015
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is proud to announce the top 25 finalists for the
inaugural NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy, which will be presented prior to the start of the 2015
NCAA Division II National Championship in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Behind the collaboration between the NFCA and its Division II Head Coaches Committee, the award was created to
honor the outstanding athletic achievement among freshmen softball student-athletes throughout Division II.
This year’s 25 finalists hail from 23 different universities, while the group represents 15 Division II leagues across the
nation, ranging coast-to-coast, from New York to California. Carson-Newman, out of the South Atlantic Conference
(SAC), and Minnesota Duluth from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) each boast two finalists.
The SAC, Lone Star Conference and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) picked up the most
overall selections with three. The Heartland Conference, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), the Great Lakes
Valley Conference (GLVC) and the NSIC each had two representatives. The PacWest, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference, California Collegiate Athletic Conference, Northeast 10, Gulf South Conference, Great American Conference
(GAC), East Coast Conference and Peach Belt Conference had one finalist.
On Thurs., April 30, the list will be trimmed down to the top 10 finalists, while the top 3 finalists will be selected and
released on Thurs., May 13. The inaugural NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy will be presented
during a live ceremony on May 20 prior to the opening of the Division II National Championship, which is being held in
Oklahoma City, Okla. for the first time.
About the NFCA
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches
for all competitive levels of play. Founded in the early 1980s by collegiate softball coaches, today the organization also
includes high school coaches, travel ball/club coaches and individuals who support the sport. Founded by coaches for
coaches, the Association is built on strong values and continually instills within its members a deep sense of responsibility
for developing programs that enrich the lives of all those involved.
In addition, the Association provides educational training; encourages sportsmanship and high standards of competition;
promotes the sport both nationally and internationally; identifies and pursues issues relevant to the fastpitch coaching
profession and provides a forum to discuss those issues; honors excellence through awards programs for coaches and
players, and keeps members informed of current coaching techniques, equipment innovations and fastpitch news.
NFCA Division II National Freshman of the Year – Top 25 Finalists
Janessa Bassett Dixie State OF
Sydney Beuthien Lubbock Christian IF/OF
Carmen Byrd Spring Hill College 2B
Olivia Clark-Kittleson Southern Indiana OF
Lindsey Dean Carson-Newman RHP
Morgan Dufour St. Edwards 3B/SS/C
Mariangela Garcia Western New Mexico OF
Hanna Holland Humboldt State OF
Danielle Kranz Carson-Newman RHP
Magen Lynch Texas A&M University-Commerce OF

2. Brandy Marlett Angelo State RHP
Brenna Martini Adelphi 3B
Brandy Morgan Valdosta State OF
Cailah Niles Anderson (S.C.) C
Zoe Pakes Colorado Mesa C
Jennah Perryman Missouri-St. Louis 3B
Emmie Robertson Pittsburg State RHP
Hannah Schmoll Minnesota Duluth OF
Paige Shifflett Missouri Western DP
Allie Smith West Texas A&M DP
Becky Smith Minnesota Duluth SS
Michelle Sorensen Henderson State RHP
ToniMarie Valeriano Queens (N.Y.) LHP/1B
Caitlin VanVleck Emporia State OF
Kelsey Vining Montevallo CF
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