PHILADELPHIA – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its top-25 student-athletes in the running for the 2019 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Award. Among the 25 finalists is University of Pennsylvania freshman, Emma Nedley. 

On May 9, the list will be trimmed down to the top 10 and the top three finalists will be released on May 21. The Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy will be presented during a live ceremony at the Women's College World Series banquet on May 28. 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. 

Nedley is not only the first Penn player included in the top-25 rankings for the national freshman of the year, she is the first Ivy Leaguer to earn a place on the list since the award was first presented in 2014.
"This is a great honor for Emma," said head coach Leslie King. "She not only has tremendous talent, but the work ethic to go with it. It's also great for the League. The rest of the country can now see the type of athletes that are coming to study and play softball in the Ivy League."

Nedley has burst onto the scene as a freshman. She is one of just two players to have started in all 32 games for the Red and Blue currently leads the Quakers in hits (39), runs (21), and home runs (5). She also tops all Ivy League freshmen in batting average (.379), hits, runs, slugging percentage (.631), and stolen bases (8).

"I am extremely honored to be a finalist for this award," said Nedley. "I never thought this was possible, there are so many amazing softball players in the NCAA. I am so grateful for the game and all of the opportunities it has given me. I'm excited to keep this season going with my teammates as we focus on putting ourselves in position for an Ivy League title."

Nedley was named Ivy League Player of the Week after the first weekend of play this season. In her first day of live action, the freshman out of Penn-Trafford went an impressive 5-for-7 at the plate. She recorded her first career home run during the weekend, a three-run shot against Troy.

She won the award for a second time as she led the Quaker bats against Cornell. Nedley hit an impressive .750 against the Big Red with a team-high nine hits and 10 RBI, including her fifth home run of the season.
The Quakers are 11-1 this season when Nedley records an RBI and 14-3 when she scores a run.

Nedley and the Quakers (18-14, 9-6 Ivy) continue Ivy League play this weekend when they host Brown (10-18, 3-9 Ivy) at Penn Park. The series will begin with a doubleheader at 4 p.m. on Saturday and conclude with a single game on Sunday.