COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M freshman Tori Vidales has been named among the top 25 finalists for the NFCA Division 1 National Freshman of the Year award, announced Thursday by the NFCA, which will be presented prior to the start of the 2015 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.
This year's 25 finalists hail from 23 different universities, while the group represents 12 Division I leagues across the nation, ranging coast-to-coast, from New York to California. Alabama and LSU out of the Southeastern Conference each boast two finalists.
Vidales has been an instrumental member of the Texas A&M softball team (33-12, 8-7 SEC) in her inaugural season. The freshman is currently batting .357 and paces the team with 39 runs scored, 15 home runs and 45 RBI, adding in 45 hits and 38 walks. She has worked her way into the Aggie records, moving into tenth place in single-season home runs (15) and eighth in single-season walks (38).
“Tori has had a terrific freshman year so far,” said head coach Jo Evans. “She brings great poise and great confidence. Her confidence is contagious, as well as her hitting, and she's a person that we count on in our lineup. She's who you want up in a critical situation.”
The freshman came to A&M with plenty of accolades, a two-time District 23-5A Player of the Year and four-year varsity letterman, and has built upon them the foundation for a successful four year career at A&M. Reflecting on her time so far in the Maroon and White, Vidales is confident in herself and the direction her game is headed:
“The game really kicks up a notch in college and it's such an exhilarating feeling when you are being counted on to get that clutch hit or make the big play. Even when you may fail, it's so crucial to learn from the failure and come bat and be better and stronger. Bouncing back from some bad at-bats and defensive errors has made such an impact on my game and really allowed me to focus more on the path to success rather than the downfall due to failure.”
The SEC led the way with eight overall selections. The Pac-12 and the Southland Conference each had three representatives, while the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Sun Belt garnered two honorees apiece. The BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big West, Colonial Athletic Association and Ohio Valley all had one selection.
On Thurs., May 7, the list will be trimmed down to the top 10 finalists, while the top 3 finalists will be selected and released on Thurs., May 21. In its second year, the NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy will be presented during a live ceremony on May 26 prior to the opening of the annual Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year – Top 25 Finalists
Sydney Booker – SS/3B – Southeastern Louisiana
Daniella Chavez – DP – Kansas
Zoe Conley – RHP – CSUN
Baylee Douglass – RHP – SIUE
Ivie Drake – C - Georgia State
Cortni Emanuel – OF/IF – Georgia
Megan Good – RHP/IF – James Madison
Meghan Gregg – SS – Tennessee
Peyton Hedrick – SS - Abilene Christian
Carley Hoover – RHP – LSU
Jazmyn Jackson – CF – California
Jenna Lilley – 3B – Oregon
Aleshia Ocasio – RHP/UT – Florida
Ariel Ortiz – SS - Texas State
Alexis Osorio – RHP – Alabama
Paige Parker – LHP – Oklahoma
Danielle Parlich – IF – Minnesota
Erika Piancastelli – C – McNeese State
Krystal Puga – 1B - St. John's
Demi Turner – 2B – Alabama
Taylor Van Zee – LF/3B – Washington
Tori Vidales – 3B - Texas A&M
Allie Walljasper – RHP – LSU
Jessica Warren – 3B - Florida State
Taylor Wike – 2B - North Carolina