Earlier we posted the top returning players to watch this season, now we look at 10 freshman hitters and pitchers that are off to hot starts in 2016. No matter the sport, your freshman season can be a grind. The players we look at here have not only met that challenge they are excelling. Note this is not a ranking.
10 College Softball freshman hitters to watch in 2016
Ashley Diaz (Arkansas): The South El Monte, CA native is off to a fast start leading the team in five offensive categories; hits (26), home runs (6), RBI (26), SLG (.807) and total bases (46). Diaz is has shown to be an effective all-around hitter. It will be interesting to see what she does in the SEC as she will have to face some of the best pitchers in the country. Based on what she has shown to this point she is one you may want to keep a close eye on as the season progresses.
Kelsey Horton (New Mexico State): Horton has shown promise this season sitting in third on the team with a .431 batting average. She hails from San Clemente, CA. Thus far Horton has already faced some of the better pitchers in the country with strong results. She leads the team in Runs (26), home runs (10) and RBI (29).
Racquel Fournet (FGCU): Head Coach David Deiros has to be very happy with the freshman from Windermere, FL who leads the team in just about every offensive category. Fournet leads the eagles in batting average (.460), hits (29), doubles (5), home runs (3), total bases (43), SLG (.683) and OBP (.507). From here on out she may start to see tougher pitching. If she can maintain at the pace she is on, she would end up in-line for some awards.
Katie Reed (Kentucky): Reed is another leading her team in numerous categories. Matter of fact she leads the Wildcats in eight different offensive categories; average (.455), runs (21), hits (29), doubles (5), triples (2), total bases (47), SLG (.839) and OBP (.565). Those are some impressive numbers in general and considering she is just in her first year the Wildcat’s have a lot to be happy about.
Kennedy Clark (South Carolina): It may start to sound like a broken record but Clark is yet another freshman leading her team in numerous statistical areas. The Gamecocks are off to a fast 19-2 start and Clark is one big reason. The California native leads the team in average (.426), hits (26), home runs (4), RBI (22), total bases (42), SLG (.689) and OBP (.544). It will be interesting to see if she can stay on this pace when they get into conference play.
Libby Sugg (BYU): Sugg may not have the eye popping average (.333) but her ability to generate runs is what lands her on this list. That average is third best on the team. What made us take notice is her 10 home runs and 27 RBI both of which lead the team. She also leads the Cougars in slugging percentage (.848).
Krista Rude (UT Arlington): The Mavericks are off to an 18-0 start and their offense has played a big role. Rude leads that offense in batting average (.520). Her ability to reach base is another asset currently her OBP stands at (.529) Rude has also stole eight of nine bases attempted.
Amber Serrett (LSU): Serrett stands out on a roster full of hitters who standout. The 21-2 Tigers are looking great so far and Serrett has looked great as well. She enters the weekend batting .469 which puts her third on this team. That average would lead a lot of other teams around the country. She has 15 RBI and a .536 OBP.
Hailey Lunderman (Ole Miss): Lunderman has been sharp so far this year leading the Rebels in five offensive categories. The Mississippi native leads the team in runs (24), hits (37), average (.439), total bases (41) and OBP (.530).
Amanda Lorenz (Florida): It is one thing to post good numbers as a freshman, it is another to do it for the No. 1 team in the country with a 24-0 record. That is what Lorenz, who was considered one of the top prospects last year, has done. Currently she leads the gators in three categories, runs (29), hits (29) and OBP (.614). Those are some impressive numbers to build off.
10 College Softball freshman pitchers to watch in 2016
Meehra Nelson (Oregon State): Nelson has found success early for the Beavers posting a 10-2 record and a 2.00 ERA in 17 appearances. She also has two saves on the season and 102 strike outs. She has also held opposing hitters to a .178 average. She is a big reason for the rise up the rankings by Oregon State.
Kelly Barnhill (Florida): Barnhill (8-0) was the top pitching prospect coming out of high school and has already been named to the 2016 US National Team. She has been great so far for the Gators posting a 0.93 ERA and guess what that is just third in the Gator rotation. That gives you a pretty good idea why they are undefeated. Over her 45 innings she has 68 strikeouts and has held opponent to a .107 average.
Makayla Martin (Auburn): Martin (5-0) is part of a platoon of pitchers the Tigers use. They have used her effectively and she has made the most out of every start. On the season through 34 innings pitched she has a 0.41 ERA and 34 strikeouts. She has yet to give up a home run and has held opposing batters to a .134 average.
Sydney Smith (LSU): Smith (5-0) has already done something only three others in LSU history have done, throw a perfect game. The Maple Grove, MN native threw that against Tennessee Tech on March 4. She holds a 0.62 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 34 innings and has held hitters to a .195 average.
Danielle Baumgartner (Missouri): Baumgartner (6-1) has been sharp for the Tigers. The Mexico, MO native is not lighting the statistical leader boards up, but she is consistent and holds a 0.79 ERA over 35.1 innings. She is one of five SEC pitchers listed here.
Samantha Clakley (UT Arlington): Clakley (8-0) may only be 5’4 but she is not short on talent. The Carthage, TX native also has three saves to go along with a 0.95 ERA through 59 innings pitched. She looks to be the team’s ace moving forward in a rotation of three she has half of the starts already.
Matty Moss (Tennessee): The Volunteers have a lot of options at pitchers and as we saw last season they are not afraid to use all of them. Leading the way so far is Moss (5-1) with a 1.12 ERA over 37.1 innings. It will be interesting to see if she can establish herself as the go to pitcher in this rotation.
Madi Moore (Alabama): The Tide seem to be in good shape and for the second year in a row have a solid freshman pitcher in Moore (6-0). The Alabama native holds a 1.54 ERA over 36.1 innings of work and 25 strikeouts.
Brooke Hutto (Stetson): Hutto (10-3) has stepped right into the fire already pitching 87 innings for the Hatters. She has been good posting a 1.69 ERA with 49 strikeouts. That is a lot of innings for a first year pitcher, but if she holds up she should but together a nice season.
Emma Hylen (Iowa State): Hylen (5-3) has been a bright sport for the Cyclones thus far. Over 48.1 innings of work she holds a 1.59 ERA with 31 strikeouts and has held opposing hitters to a 1.91 average. She has also accumulated two saves and has appeared in 15 of the Cyclone’s 19 games so far.
