LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Six finalists, one from each of the NFCA’s NAIA regions, have been selected by the Association’s NAIA All-America Committee for the 2023 TUCCI/NFCA NAIA Freshman of the Year award.
Georgia Gwinnett’s Enna Lackey (Region I), Lyon’s Sophie Varela (Region II), Oklahoma City’s Analise Rayburn (Region III), Avila’s Stephanie Hayes (Region IV), Baker’s Kira Baker (Region V) and Rio Grande’s Gabby Adams (Region VI) are in the running for the award, which will be announced on June 8.
Lackey (Continental Athletic) and Baker (Heart of America) were named their league’s Freshman of the Year. The previous duo, along with Varela (American Midwest), Rayburn (Sooner Athletic) and Adams (River States) earned first-team all-Conference honors, while Hayes (KCAC) picked up an honorable mention accolade.
The award honors the outstanding athletic achievement among freshman softball student-athletes throughout NAIA. To be eligible, student-athletes must come from an NFCA member institution.
Reinhardt’s Emily Loveless was tabbed the inaugural winner of the award in 2021 and Southeastern’s Riley Sanders was the 2022 recipient.
Outfield
Georgia Gwinnett
Outfield
Lyon
Second Base
Oklahoma City
DP or Utility/Non-Pitcher
Avila
Pitcher
Baker
First Base
Rio Grande
NFCA NAIA National Freshman of the Year
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year Awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining nearly 6,700 coaches today!
