CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson Softball second-year freshman ace Valerie Cagle Valerie Cagle (Yorktown, Va.) has been named a National FastPitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 30 finalist, the organization announced on Thursday.
NFCA Release
Cagle (23-3), a two way player for the Tigers, currently leads the ACC in ERA (0.94) and saves (5) and is tied for wins (23). She also is second in the conference in strikeouts (195) and innings pitched (163.1). Nationally, she is tied for fourth in saves (5) and is sixth in shoutouts (9). In the batter’s box, Cagle leads the Tigers in hits (51), home runs (12), doubles (11), and slugging percentage (.806). Cagle also leads the ACC in total bases (100) and is tied for fifth in the conference in runs batted in (35). Cagle is the only player in the ACC to win at least four ACC weekly distinctions.
On May 13, the list will be trimmed down to the top 10 and the three finalists will be released on May 27. The 2021 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year will be announced on June 1.
In 2021, the NFCA will award National Freshman of the Year honors to a student-athlete from NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII and NAIA. For more information about all NFCA Awards, visit nfca.org.
Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year previous winners
2020 – Award was not presented due to COVID-19
2019 – Danielle Williams, Northwestern
2018 – Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma
2017 – Rachel Garcia, UCLA
2016 – Amanda Lorenz, Florida
2015 – Paige Parker, Oklahoma
2014 – Annie Aldrete, Tennessee & Kasey Cooper, Auburn
2021 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 30
*Denotes Second Year
Addison Barnhard, Wichita State University
Hannah Becerra, California State University, Fullerton
Alyssa Brito, University of Oregon
Valerie Cagle, Clemson University *
Erin Coffel, University of Kentucky
Jayda Coleman, University of Oklahoma
Matalasi Faapito, New Mexico State University *
Shaylon Govan, Stephen F. Austin State University *
Cameron Fagan, Virginia Tech
Cylie Halvorson, South Dakota State University *
Sarah Harness, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale *
Jazmine Hill, Arizona State University *
Hannah Hughbanks, Dixie State University *
Alissa Humphrey, James Madison University
Tiare Jennings, University of Oklahoma
Lexi Kilfoyl, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa *
Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State University
Olivia Lackie, University of South Alabama
Jenna Laird, University of Missouri, Columbia
Shelby Lowe, Auburn University
Janelle Meoño, University of Arizona *
Devon Miller, Fordham University *
Kiki Milloy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville *
Sharlize Palacios, University of Arizona *
Taylor Pleasants, Louisiana State University *
Karli Spaid, Miami University
Ashley Trierweiler, Santa Clara University *
Alana Vawter, Stanford University *
Grace Vesco, Saint Francis University (Pa.) *
Jenna Wildeman, University of Central Arkansas *
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