LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Emma Lemley has been named a Top-3 finalist for Schutt Sports/NFCA National Division I Freshman of the Year, the NFCA announced Thursday afternoon. Lemley is the first player in school history to become a Top-3 finalist.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 31, prior to the start of the 2022 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Lemley was recently named the ACC Freshman of the Year, as well as First Team All-ACC, a member of the All-Freshman team and NFCA First Team All-Region. She finished the regular season with a 15-4 record and a 6-2 mark in ACC play with two saves. The right-hander had three shutouts in conference play, including then-No. 14/9 Clemson, Louisville and Boston College to clinch the regular season championship.
During the Blacksburg Regional, Lemley played an important role in the Hokies wins over Kentucky on Sunday. She started in both games, earning the game one win after limiting the Wildcats to just two runs, striking out four. She totaled 14 strikeouts over the weekend for Tech.
Overall, Lemley has 207 strikeouts on the season with a 1.87 ERA. She is 16-5 in the circle with a .176 batting average against. Lemley also leads the team in shutouts with six. She is averaging 10.8 strikeouts per seven innings which ranks ninth nationally and her 4.52 hits allowed per seven innings ranks second in the ACC.