Penn-Trafford product Emma Nedley up for national freshman of year

With a fast transition to college softball, and big numbers to match, Emma Nedley has proven she is one of the top freshmen in the Ivy League.

But now the Penn outfielder is on a ballot to be considered the nation’s top newcomer.

Nedley, a Penn-Trafford graduate, is one of 25 Division I players up for the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Freshman of the Year Award. She is the first player from Penn to make the list and just the second to be selected in the Ivy League since 2014, the year the award debuted.

“I never thought this was possible, there are so many amazing softball players in the NCAA,” Nedley said. “I am so grateful for the game and all of the opportunities it has given me. I’m excited to keep this season going with my teammates as we focus on putting ourselves in position for an Ivy League title.”

Nedley has started all 32 games for the Quakers (18-14, 9-6) and leads the team in hits (39), runs (21) and home runs (5). Her .379 average and .631 slugging percentage leads all freshmen in the league.

The top freshman list will be pared down to 10 players on May 9. Three finalists will be announced May 21. And the winner will be announced May 28 at the NCAA Women’s College World Series.

“This is a great honor for Emma,” Penn coach Leslie King said in a release. “She not only has tremendous talent, but the work ethic to go with it. It’s also great for the League. The rest of the country can now see the type of athletes that are coming to study and play softball in the Ivy League.”

The first Penn player and Ivy Leaguer included in the top-25 rankings for the national freshman of the year. Freshman Emma Nedley has been named to the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top-25! #Purpose

READ: https://t.co/vd3Sovi2wa pic.twitter.com/BcpyN6OQBa

— Penn Softball (@Penn_Softball) April 18, 2019

The nominees

2019 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25

Jayme Bailey, UT, Virginia Tech

Kelsey Bennett, 3B, Virginia Tech

Lexie Blair, OF, Michigan

Peyton Cody, C, St. John’s

Courtney Coppersmith, P, UMBC

Chenise Delce, P, Tulsa

Natalie DenHartog, OF, Minnesota

Kalita Dennis, 2B, Howard

Megan Faraimo, P, UCLA

Lacey Fincher, 1B, Georgia

Montana Fouts, P, Alabama

Meghan Giordano, 3B, Hofstra

Kelli Godin, OF, UCLA

Grace Green, 1B, Oklahoma

Katie Keller, 1B, Northern Illinois

Emma Nedley, OF, Penn

Shealyn O’Leary, P, Texas

Lexi Orozco, SS, Utah State

Autumn Owen, C, Gardner-Webb

Calista Phippen, P, Marist

Ashley Rogers, P, Tennessee

Jazmyn Rollin, SS, Missouri

Kassidy Wilbur, P, Stephen F. Austin

Danielle Williams, P, Northwestern

McKenzie Wilson, OF, Fresno State

2019 @schuttsports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25 revealed https://t.co/GhRHcrsJzY pic.twitter.com/F2U1eRoRdK

— NFCA (@NFCAorg) April 18, 2019

Past winners

Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year

2018 – Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma

2017 – Rachel Garcia, UCLA

2016 – Amanda Lorenz, Florida

2015 – Paige Parker, Oklahoma

2014 – Annie Aldrete, Tennessee/Kasey Cooper, Auburn