LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is proud to announce the top three finalists for the inaugural NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy, which will be presented prior to the start of the 2014 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Tennessee’s Annie Aldrete, Auburn’s Kasey Cooper and Notre Dame’s Karley Wester are the three outstanding freshman student-athletes that made the final cut.
Aldrete has enjoyed one of the finest seasons, not just for a freshman, but also for any player in the history of the Tennessee softball program. Tabbed first-team All-Southeastern Conference as well as to the SEC All-Freshman Team, the Monterey, Calif., native is currently hitting .373 overall with 36 runs scored, 13 doubles, a program single-season record-tying 19 HRs (12 in SEC play) and a squad-high 64 RBIs. Venturing into NCAA Super Regional action this weekend in Norman, Okla., Aldrete is slugging at an .842 clip, has drawn 28 walks and registered a .482 on-base percentage. She also batted .405 against ranked teams this season (15-for-37) with 10 walks, seven HRs and 22 RBIs.
An in-state product from Dothan, Ala., Cooper was a standout offensive contributor for Auburn throughout its run to NCAA Regionals. The first Tiger player ever to be chosen both All-SEC (second team) and to the SEC All-Freshman team in program history, she led AU at .418 overall over 62 contests with a staggering 70 runs scored, 10 doubles, a school single-season record 18 HRs and 77 RBIs, the second highest total in the league in 2014. Cooper also ranked in the top six in the SEC in both slugging (.780 – fourth) and on-base percentage (.527 – sixth). Against ranked programs, she hit at a .352 clip (25-for-71) with 22 runs, 19 walks, seven HRs and 20 RBIs.
The Atlantic Coast Conference’s Freshman of the Year, Wester topped the league in three major statistical categories during ACC play, hitting an amazing .521 (37-for-71) over 21 conference starts with a .575 on-base percentage (second in the ACC) and 10 stolen bases. For the season the Huntingdon Beach, Calif., native and Fighting Irish leadoff hitter guided her squad with a .455 batting average, plating 50 runs, delivering six extra-base hits, knocking in 28 tallies and swiping an impressive 26 bases in 31 attempts. Wester also batted .429 against ranked foes in 2014, going 12-for-28 at the plate.
The inaugural NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy will be presented during a live ceremony on May 27 prior to the opening of the annual Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award is voted on by the members of the NFCA’s Division I All-American & Coaching Staff of the Year Committee.
With the Association always searching for innovative ways to promote the sport of softball, the NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award grew from an idea to honor outstanding athletic achievement among freshman softball student-athletes throughout Division I.
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 I National Freshman of the Year – Top Three Finalists
Annie Aldrete – DP/C – Tennessee
Kasey Cooper – 3B – Auburn
Karley Wester – OF – Notre Dame
