LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl softball's
Gabby Montanez was named the Region 10 NFCA Freshman of the Year and a finalist for the 2025 NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award.
Montanez was named to the NFCA Region 10 third team as a pitcher for Hardin-Simmons. Montanez went 17-2 as a freshman and was named the ASC Freshman of the Year for the Cowgirls. She finished the season with a 1.97 ERA in 124 innings pitched with 12 complete games, five shutouts, and 57 strikeouts and was first-team all-ASC.
The award annually honors the outstanding athletic achievement of freshmen in NCAA Division III. The regional finalists and the winner are chosen by the NFCA All-America Committee, which includes one representative for each of the 10 regions. To be eligible, student-athletes must come from an NFCA member institution.
NFCA Division III National Freshman of the Year winners
2024 – Tyler McNeley, P, Linfield
2023 – Debbie Hill, Utility/Pitcher, Trine
2022 – Jamie Martin, P, Christopher Newport
2021 – Kenzie Dore, DP, Husson
2020 – (no award)
2019 – Kaitlyn Hasty, 3B, Christopher Newport
2018 – Ashley Perez, C, UT Tyler
2017 – Hanna Hull, P, Virginia Wesleyan
2016 – Kandis Kresinske, P, Virginia Wesleyan
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Tucci/NFCA Freshman of the Year Awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining nearly 6,700 coaches today!
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