10 NCAA Softball Sophomores to watch in 2017

Forbes started her college career off with a bang finishing the 2016 season off with a .473 average. That was the eighth best average in the country and was the fourth best in school history. Not only that she also lead the Big South in batting average (.473), hits (96) and runs (54). Forbes has the chance to improve upon those numbers. If she does she could be looking at All-American honors in just her second full season.

Sugg is coming off a great freshman season that saw her earn numerous honors. She was named All-WCC Second Team and was also named to the 2016 WCC Commissioner’s Bronze Honor Roll. Sugg led BYU in RBI (58) and home runs (18). She was second in doubles (10), total bases (118), slugging percentage (.724) and on-base percentage (.446).

Lynch impressed many batting .391 (sixth in the Big 12) in her first year of college softball. She grabbed several post-season awards including; All-Big 12 Second Team, All-Big 12 Freshmen Team and the All-Midwest Region Second Team. On the season she hit 13 doubles, the eighth-most in the Big 12. Lynch also posted an impressive 23-game hit streak. This is an up and coming team and she will play a major role in their success this season.

Show was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and NFCA South Region Second Team in 2016. Although she had a good season in the circle she makes our hitters list behind her 13 home runs she hit last season.  She was also named a Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year Top-25 Finalist. Show should have an impact on this team in numerous ways this season.

Gremillion showed steady improvement all season long. Matter of fact she finished the season strong, raising her batting average 45 points over the final month (from .286 to .331). She shined in the postseason and secured a hit in all five of the Cajuns’ NCAA Tournament games.  Gremillion hit a team-best .500 (9-for-18) in her first NCAA postseason and produced three multiple-hit games in the NCAA Tournament. If she continues that trend she could become one of the top hitters in the country.

Raley was named the 2016 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year as well as an All-SBC First-Team selection. She finished her true freshman campaign with a 22-14 record, two saves and five shutouts in 43 appearances. Raley led Eagles with a team-leading 3.33 ERA.

Jones was named first-team All-MVC and third-team NFCA All-Region selection. She led all freshman nationally in shutouts with 10 and set several Southern Illinois records in 2016. Her solid 1.92 ERA was partly due to her consistency and ability to spot her pitches. Jones posted 158 strikeouts to just 32 walks. Look for Jones to improve upon her 23 wins this season.

The Pac-12 Co-Freshman of the Year is poised to build upon her 2016 season success. She led Washington with 18 wins over her 25 starts. She was a key factor in the Huskies run to the super regionals last season. On the year she posted a 3.16 ERA which is pretty good considering their schedule last season and the fact that it was just her first season. There is no reason not to think she shows improvement this season.

The Big West Conference Freshman Pitcher of the Year went 18-6 with a 1.97 ERA in 2016. She also earned All-Big West honors. Not known as a strikeout pitcher (73), Golden relies on pitch placement and accuracy. She only allowed 1.21 walks per seven innings. Look for some impressive numbers from her again in 2017.

DiMartino had a real breakout season that saw her earn Big South All-Freshman team and Big South All-Conference second team honors. She tied the school record for no-hitters in a season with two. DiMartino was also the first freshman pitcher in team history to be voted to an All-State team. The future looks bright for her.