Kylee Smith Named Finalist For NFCA/Schutt Sports National Freshman of the Year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of North Georgia pitcher Kylee Smith is one of eight finalists selected for the 2017 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division II National Freshman of the Year. There is one finalist from each of the eight regions and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 24 at the NCAA Division II Softball Championship Banquet in Salem, Va.

Smith led the Peach Belt Conference with a 31-5 record, 1.18 ERA and 247 strikeouts, while posting eight shutouts, three saves and holding her opponents to a .180 batting average. She garnered first-team All-Peach Belt honors and was named Most Valuable Player of the PBC Tournament.

The Suwanee, Ga. native ranks in the top-10 in Division II in ERA (fourth), wins (fourth) and strikeouts (tenth).

This year’s eight- Wilmington outfielder Rosa’Lynn Burton (East), Charleston catcher Haleigh Christopher (Atlantic), Harding pitcher Autumn Humes (Central), Saint Leo second baseman Kacie Kelly (South), Southern Indiana hurler Jennifer Leonhardt (Midwest), California Baptist outfielder Caitlyn Lloyd (West), North Georgia pitcher Kylee Smith (Southeast) and Colorado Mesa first baseman AnnMarie Torres (South Central) – were all NFCA first-team All-Region selections and include seven league freshmen of the year, two players of the year and one pitcher of the year.