NFCA Announces Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25 List
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball freshman
Grace Loftin was named to the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25 list, as announced by the organization Thursday.
"First, congratulations to everyone that made the list!" exclaimed Loftin. "I am shocked, honored, and blessed to be recognized. To be the first from UNCG is something remarkable, but to earn the honor with Team 37 behind me makes it more special. I'm thankful to be surrounded by such awesome people that have supported me through my first year as a Spartan!"
Loftin has been a force not only at the plate, but also in the outfield for the Spartans since stepping onto campus. She has started and played in 45 games this season, assisting UNCG to a 33-13 overall record and a 12-0 Southern Conference (SoCon) mark. The 12-0 start is the best in program history.
UNCG has now won 17-straight regular-season games against SoCon opponents dating back to the 2021 season and 20-straight overall games against conference foes, including post-season games.
The freshman is averaging .328 at the plate with a .397 on-base percentage and a team-best .706 slugging percentage. Her 45 RBI and 12 doubles lead the team. With her 119 at bats, Loftin has totaled 38 hits and scored 22 runs. She has crushed 11 home runs, which is third on the team. She has walked 11 times, hit-by-pitch four times, and hit two sacrifice flies, which leads the team.
In the outfield, Loftin has spent the majority of her time in left field playing 38 games out there, six games in right, and one in center. She has recorded 81 putouts with just one error for a .988 fielding percentage, which is second on the team.
Among the conference, she is first in slugging percentage, second in RBI and doubles, fourth in home runs and total bases, fifth in batting average, and eighth in on-base percentage.
Loftin is also ranked among the nation in runs batted in per game (47th) and home runs (84th).
This season, Loftin was named SoCon Player of the Month for March. She was also selected as SoCon Player of the Week and D1 Softball Freshman of the Week on March 21.
On March 27 in a 19-1 domination over Mercer, the Spartans slugged eight home runs for the most homers in a game in head coach
Janelle Breneman's era and to stats dating back to 2007. Loftin cranked three of the eight. This was the fourth time in program history that a Spartan had hit three home runs in a game.
Twelve programs were represented on the list for the first time, including UNCG. The other 11 were Charlotte, Dayton, Louisiana Tech, Northern Iowa, Radford, San Diego State, St. Thomas, Stony Brook, UC San Diego, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and UNC Wilmington.
Oklahoma earned its ninth recognition, leading all programs since the start of the award in 2014. Additionally, the Sooners have had at least one student-athlete represented since 2015, with three of those winning the award. Behind the Sooners are Florida and UCLA with their seventh honorees.
The winner will be announced prior to the start of the 2022 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium from June 2nd to the 9th.
UNCG welcomes SoCon foe Furman (18-27, 6-6 SoCon) to UNCG Softball Stadium this weekend. The doubleheader on Saturday, April 30 is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., while the single game on Sunday, May 1 will also begin at 1:00 p.m. This weekend UNCG will also recognize its three Spartans that will be wrapping up their careers this year.
2022 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25
Jordy Bahl - Oklahoma
Mac Barbara - San Diego State
Megan Bloodworth – Alabama
Jada Cecil - UC San Diego
Ella Chancey - Charlotte
Jessica Clements - Cal Poly
Alyssa Costello - Stony Brook
Mya Dodge - Northern Iowa
Michaela Edenfield - Florida State
Brooke Ellestad - St. Thomas
Bri Ellis - Auburn
Kendra Falby - Florida
Tatum Kresley - UMES
Jane Kronenberger - Notre Dame
Emma Lemley - Virginia Tech
Grace Loftin - UNCG
Jackie Masone - Drexel
Kya Matter - UMBC
Cori McMillan - Radford
Savannah Pola - UCLA
Sierra Sacco - Louisiana Tech
Cydney Sanders - Arizona State
Emma Schutter - Dayton
Emily Winstead - UNCW
Koko Wooley - Texas A&M
