Chavez Named NFCA Freshman of the Year Finalist

LOUISVILLE, KY. – After an impressive start to her debut season in the Crimson and Blue, Kansas infielder Daniella Chavez has been selected as one of 25 finalist for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Freshman of the Year, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday.
 
Chavez is one of two Big 12 student-athletes on the list of Top 25 Freshmen with Oklahoma’s Paige Parker joining Chavez as a finalist. Chavez is the first Jayhawk in program history to be in the running for the accolade. The 2015 honoree will be just the second rookie awarded Freshman of the Year recognition by the NFCA. 
 
After starting all 40 games so far this season, Chavez is etching her name into the record books already. She is batting .354 with five doubles, 10 home runs and 49 RBIs, which is tied for the most on Kansas’ roster this year. Chavez’s 49 RBIs currently stands as tied for the second-most RBIs in a single season by a Jayhawk, while her 10 long balls is third all-time in the freshman record book.
 
Chavez has also launched three grand slams in 2015 and is three bases-loaded home runs away from tying the single-season national record. Continuing the trend of working her way into Kansas softball history, Chavez has also posted a .664 slugging percentage, which is currently tied for the fifth-best single season mark.
 
On the year, Chavez has collected a total of 40 hits, 15 of which are extra-base knocks, and 25 walks. She has registered a .475 on-base percentage in 113 at-bats, while also scoring 21 runs.
 
The Top 10 finalists will be revealed on Thursday, May 7, while the Top 3 finalists will be selected on Thursday, May 21. In its second year, the NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year trophy will be presented during a live ceremony on Tuesday, May 26 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, today the organization also 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.
 
UP NEXT
Kansas remains on the road and finishes its eight-game stretch away from Arrocha Ballpark with two games at Tulsa, April 18-19. First pitch is set for Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m., inside the Collins Family Softball Complex.
 
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