Kelly Barnhill was named a Schutt Sports / NFCA National Freshman of the Year Top 25 Finalist.
Pair of Gators Named NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 Finalists
Thursday, April 21, 2016 | Softball
Kelly Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz were named Top 25 Finalists for the 2016 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Award.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Florida freshmen Kelly Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz were named Top 25 Finalists for the 2016 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year, announced Thursday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
This year's 25 finalists hail from 22 different universities, while the group represents 12 Division I leagues from across the nation. Florida and Texas A&M out of the Southeastern Conference and Oklahoma from the Big 12 each boast two selections.
Although this award is only in its third season, Barnhill and Lorenz join Aleshia Ocasio (2015) as the only Gators to be named a Top 25 Finalist.
Meet the Gators
Kelly Barnhill (RHP)
Season Recap
Sporting a perfect 14-0 record, the right-hander has a 1.29 ERA with six complete games, five shutouts, one save and 135 strikeouts in 87.0 innings. In addition, Barnhill's opponents' batting average is .145 (84.0 IP) and would go down currently as the best in Florida history if the season ended today.
Jenny Gladding currently holds the top single season opponent batting-average-against in program history, as she recorded a .146 b/avg. in 2004.
Meanwhile, Barnhill's ERA is challenging Stephanie Brombacher's freshman record 1.40 ERA that she achieved in 2008. The Marietta, Ga., native currently ranks sixth in wins (14) and fourth in strikeouts (135) in Florida's freshman record book.
She's the fifth Gator freshman in six years to record 100+ strikeouts.
Top Performances
Barnhill tied her and Delanie Gourley's school-record 18 strikeouts on March 16 against Winthrop. On Sunday, March 6, that duo combined for 18 strikeouts against FAMU. Gourley recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched, and Barnhill dealt five strikeouts to the only five Rattlers she faced.
Barnhill now holds the Florida individual-game record for strikeouts. That mark was previously held by her teammate, Aleshia Ocasio, and former Gator, Renise Landry, who each had 17. The freshman's performance marked the second time a Gator pitcher recorded 15+ strikeouts in a regulation game since Jenny Gladding had 15 against Nebraska on Feb. 21, 2004.
She also tossed five shutout innings, while recording two strikeouts and not walking a batter in her collegiate debut against then-No. 2 Michigan.
She ranks among the SEC leaders in the following categories:
· ERA (1.29, seventh)
· Opponent average (.142, second)
· Strikeouts (135, eighth)
· Wins (14, 12th)
· Saves (1, T-15th)
· Games started (19, ninth)
· Runs allowed (19, ninth)
· Earned runs allowed (16, 10th)
Ranks among the NCAA leaders in the following categories:
· ERA (1.29, 13th)
· Strikeouts Per Seven Innings (10.9, fourth)
· Earned runs allowed (16, 10th)
Amanda Lorenz (OF)
Season Recap
Lorenz, who's started and hit second, third, fourth or fifth in the lineup for Florida every game this season, is currently second on the team with a .391 batting average (50-for-128), including a team-high 10 doubles and five home runs, 35 RBI and 42 runs scored. She has also tallied 33 walks with one hit-by-pitch and struck out only five times.
In addition, Lorenz has swiped nine of 10 stolen base attempts while recording 32 putouts and two assists in the outfield.
The Moorpark, Calif., native is challenging Bailey Castro's Florida record for on-base percentage (.536), as she's recorded a .509 mark thus far. Another mark within reach is Kelsey Stewart's UF freshman batting average record (.379), as Lorenz is at .391.
Lorenz also ranks ninth in runs scored (42), tied for seventh in double (10) and eighth in walks (32) in Florida's freshman record book.
Top Performances
Lorenz recorded a career-high tying three hits and three RBI in the series finale at LSU and she hit the first home run of her career against South Alabama on March 5. She hit her latest home run against USF on Wednesday to break a scoreless tie in the fifth.
Against Omaha in mid-February, Lorenz became the first Gator since Michelle Moultrie on Feb. 19, 2012, to steal 3 bases in a game.
Ranks among the SEC leaders in the following categories:
· Batting average (.391, 14th)
· OBP (.509, 10th)
· Runs scored (42, 14th)
· Doubles (10, 15th)
· Walks (33, tied for seventh)
Ranks among the NCAA leaders in the following categories:
· OBP (.509, 56th)
· Walks (33, 37th)
Future Announcements
On Thurs., May 12, the list will be trimmed down to the top 10 finalists, while the top three finalists will be selected and released on Wed., May 25. The Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy will be presented during a live ceremony on May 31 prior to the opening of the annual Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
About the NFCA
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches for all competitive levels of play. Founded in the early 1980s by collegiate softball coaches, the organization includes high school coaches, travel ball/club coaches and individuals who support the sport. Founded by coaches for coaches, the Association is built on strong values and continually instills within its members a deep sense of responsibility for developing programs that enrich the lives of all those involved.
In addition, the Association provides educational training; encourages sportsmanship and high standards of competition; promotes the sport both nationally and internationally; identifies and pursues issues relevant to the fastpitch coaching profession and provides a forum to discuss those issues; honors excellence through awards programs for coaches and players, and keeps members informed of current coaching techniques, equipment innovations and fastpitch news.
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Players Mentioned
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