LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Freshman standout Cailah Niles has been named to the inaugural NFCA Division II Freshman of the Year Top 25 Watch list, as announced by the organization late Thursday afternoon.
The Phenix City, Ala., native has helped lead the Trojans to a 29-11 overall record, while leading the South Atlantic Conference and ranking fifth nationally with 52 RBI. She also paces the conference and is one of three freshmen that rank in the top eight in the country with 14 home runs on the season.
Niles has strung together hitting streaks of eight games and four games twice, while standing fifth in the league with 50 hits and a .752 slugging percentage. The catcher is tied for second on the team with eight doubles, and ranks third on the squad with her .376 batting average. Earlier this season, Niles reached base in 24 consecutive contests and has 12 multi-hit games to her credit.
Joining Niles on the list from the South Atlantic Conference are Lindsey Dean and Danielle Kranz from Carson-Newman, while NCAA Southeast Region member-Montevallo is represented by outfielder Kelsey Vining.
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 Freshman of the Year Top 25 Watch
list
Janessa Bassett Dixie State
Sydney Beuthien Lubbock Christian
Carmen Byrd Spring Hill College
Olivia Clark-Kittleston Southern Indiana
Lindsey Dean Carson-Newman
Morgan Dufour St. Edward's
Mariangela Garcia Western New Mexico
Hannah Holland Humboldt State
Danielle Kranz Carson-Newman
Magen Lynch Texas A&M Commerce
Brandy Marlett Angelo State
Brenna Martini Adelphi
Brandy Morgan Valdosta State
Cailah Niles Anderson
Zoe Pakes Colorado Mesa
Jennah Perryman Missouri-St. Louis
Emmie Robertson Pittsburg State
Hannah Schmoll Minnesota Duluth
Paige Shifflett Missouri Western
Allie Smith West Texas A&M
Becky Smith Minnesota Duluth
Michelle Sorenson Henderson State
ToniMarie Valeriano Queens (N.Y.)
Caitlin VanVleck Emporia State
Kelsey Vining Montevallo
