LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV softball freshman catcher Jesse Farrell was named to the 2024 TUCCI/NFCA D1 Freshman of the Year Top 25 list, the organization announced on Thursday.
The Henderson native is one of two Mountain West players on the list and this is the first time since the award was created in 2014 that UNLV has been represented in the top 25 list.
This season, Farrell has capitalized on her freshman campaign earning the starting catcher spot for the Rebels. She has appeared in all 42 games this season including 41 starts, which include 33 starts at catcher and eight at third base. Farrell is second on the team with a .392 batting average (47-for-120) and RBI with 42. She leads the squad in home runs (10) and slugging percentage (.750). Behind the dish, Farrell has thrown out eight runners on 15 attempts. Farrell had the second-longest hitting streak this season with 12 straight games from March 5 to March 29.
Farrell earned her first MW Freshman of the Week nod on April 8 after batting a .471 (8-for-17) through five games to help the Rebels to a 3-2 week. She led the squad with nine RBI and slugging percentage (.941). She had a career day against the Bison on April 6 going 3-for-4 which included two multi-run home runs to go with a career-high six RBI.
On May 9, the list will be shortened to the top 10 and the three finalists will be released on May 23. The 2024 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year will be announced on May 28 prior to the start of the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
The TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award was created 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 and in their first year of NCAA Division I collegiate competition as a true freshman or redshirt freshman.
