LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hannah Becerra of Cal State Fullerton softball is one of thirty student-athletes in the running for the 2021 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award, the Association revealed on Thursday afternoon. The winner will be announced prior to the start of the 2021 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Becerra has started 39 games this season and played in 41 of 43. At the dish she has been a terror, hitting .356/.750/.443 while leading the Big West in home runs with 11. She is second in RBI with 37. She is also tops in the conference in total bases with 78. Becerra also has a perfect fielding percentage of 1.000 at third base.
The Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award was created in 2014 to honor outstanding athletic achievement among Division I freshmen softball student-athletes. To be eligible, student-athletes must be nominated by their member head coach. With the cancellation of last year's season due to COVID-19, candidates hail from the 2020 and 2021 freshman classes. Due to having two freshman classes eligible for the award, an additional five players have been added to the traditional top 25.
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.