LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Concordia University Irvine pitcher Callie Nunes was named the 2018 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division II National Freshman of the Year. She was presented the award on Wednesday evening at the NCAA Division II Championship banquet in Roanoke, Va.

Nunes, first-team NFCA All-American and finalist for the 2018 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year,  keyed the Eagles to a PacWest title, a No. 2 overall seed and host in their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II West Regional. The rookie hurler posted a 25-4 record with 10 shutouts, a 0.74 ERA and 289 strikeouts in 190.1 innings of work. Nunes twirled two no-hitters, held her opponents to a .129 batting average and registered eight saves.

The PacWest Freshman and Pitcher of the Year boasted the league’s only ERA under 1.00 and led the PacWest in strikeouts, shutouts, opponent’s batting average and saves. Nunes, a native of Modesto, Calif., ranks second nationally in ERA, saves, strikeouts per seven innings (10.7) and hits allowed per seven innings (3.05). She is third in strikeouts and tied for seventh in shutouts.

The award was created in 2015 to honor the outstanding athletic achievement among freshmen softball student-athletes throughout Division II.

Previous Winners
2017- Autumn Humes, Harding University
2016 – Charlotte Romero, Colorado Christian University
2015 – Janessa Bassett, Dixie State University