Louisville, KY. – Fordham softball's
Jessica Hughes has been named a finalist for the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I National Freshman of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday afternoon. Hughes has made a great impact for Fordham and leads the team and the Atlantic 10 in several offensive categories.
The Sewell, N.J. native has enjoyed a tremendous rookie campaign in the Bronx that has culminated in three Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors and being named a finalist for Freshman of the Year.
Hughes, the Rams' leadoff hitter and second baseman for most of the season, leads the team in at-bats (142), runs (42), hits (53), on-base percentage (.470), walks (23), and stolen bases (27). She has also tallied five doubles, a triple, three home runs, and a .373 average, second only to
Lindsay Mayer's .376, while walking nearly twice as much as striking out (12). She has missed just one contest and has started the remaining 44.
Hughes' 27 steals this season is two away from Lindsey Kay Bright's single season record of 29 set in 2009. The 27 thefts have already catapulted Hughes into the top-10 all-time ranks where she is tied with Jocelyn Dearborn for ninth-most in a career.
Among her Atlantic 10 compatriots, Hughes ranks in the top six in all the aforementioned categories, including leading the league in runs scored, hits, and stolen bases.
Fordham is back in action this weekend with a three-game series at Rhode Island. Saturday will feature a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. and Sunday's game three will also begin at noon.
The complete top 25 finalists include:
Kelly Barnhill (Florida) | Pitcher
Ashley Diaz (Arkansas) | First Base
Ebonee Echols (Michigan State) | SS/2B (DP/OF)
Taty Forbes (Coastal Carolina) | Outfield
Sydney Golden (Cal State Fullerton) | Pitcher
Carsyn Gordon (Florida State) | OF/IF
Megan Hensley (Louisville) | P/OF/DP
Jessica Hughes (Fordham) | Second Base
Kelsey Horton (New Mexico State) | First Base
Shay Knighten (Oklahoma) | Infield
Amanda Lorenz (Florida) | Outfield
Hailey Lunderman (Ole Miss) | Shortstop
Taylor Lynch (Oklahoma State) | Third Base
Maggie MacBeth (Butler) | Second Base
Makayla Martin (Auburn) | Pitcher
Keeli Milligan (Texas A&M) | IF/OF
Meehra Nelson (Oregon State) | Pitcher
Hayley Norton (Saint Francis) | Outfield
Claire Oberdorf (Marist) | 2B/C
Sydney Romero (Oklahoma) | IF
Samantha Show (Texas A&M) | Pitcher
Sydney Smith (LSU) | Pitcher
Brooke Vines (Tennessee) | OF
Kyla Walker (Baylor) | DP/RF
Ali Wester (Notre Dame) | OF/IF
