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
— Penn Softball (@Penn_Softball) April 18, 2019
READ: https://t.co/vd3Sovi2wa pic.twitter.com/BcpyN6OQBa
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
