LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Virginia Tech softball's Emma Lemley has been named a Top 25 Finalist for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award, the NFCA announced on Thursday.
The winner will be announced prior to the start of the 2022 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Lemley has made a significant impact in the circle for the Hokies, posting a 14-4 record over 22 appearances and 104.0 innings pitched. The right-hander has struck out 178 batters, which currently ranks second in the ACC. Her 12.0 strikeouts per seven innings ranks first in the ACC and third in all of Division I.
The Forest, Virginia native earned her fifth shutout this season on Saturday, holding Louisville to just three hits in the game two win. Lemley has also shutout Miami OH (5 inn.), No. 14 Clemson, Longwood (no-hitter) and No. 22 UCF. The March 22 game at Longwood was Lemley's first no-hitter of her Hokie career, striking out 13 and walking just two batters.
Along with her five shutouts, Lemley has earned two saves this season against No. 14 Clemson, as well as Louisville. Her ERA currently sits at 1.75, with a .160 batting average against, the lowest on the Hokie pitching staff. She is allowing only 4.04 hits per seven innings, which sits second in the ACC and 18th nationally.
Currently one of the top pitchers in the ACC, Lemley has earned ACC Pitcher of the Week three times so far this season, the most of any conference pitcher so far this season.