Hokie ClubLOUISVILLE, Ky. – With an excellent freshman campaign thus far, Bree Carrico has been named to the NFCA DI National Freshman of the Year Top 25 Watch List.
The redshirt freshman has been outstanding in the circle throughout the Hokies’ 2026 campaign. She currently leads the ACC with a 1.43 ERA, a number that also ranks her 10th nationally. Carrico sits with a 12-1 record in 27 appearances, including a three-hit complete-game win over No. 21 Virginia on April 11.
Carrico has been most effective coming into the circle for relief, with 20 of her 27 appearances coming from the bullpen. She has picked up four saves so far this season. The Appomattox, Va., native has struck out 106 batters and has held opponents to a .185 average this year.
She was named the D1 Softball National Freshman of the Week (3/24) and the ACC Freshman of the Week (3/24) after a week that she finished with 16 strikeouts, one hit and a .029 opponent average.
The Hokies have had seven student-athletes represented on the NFCA DI National Freshman of the Year Watch List – the third most among all schools. Most recently, Jordan Lynch (2025) and Michelle Chatfield (2024) garnered watch list honors.
The award honors the country’s top first-year student-athletes for their athletic achievements, and this year’s list features finalists from 22 different universities. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 26, before the start of the 2026 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
2026 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25
Bri Alejandre, University of California, Los Angeles
Brinli Bain, University of Arkansas
Ella Boyer, University of Kansas
Abby Carr, University of Missouri
Bree Carrico, Virginia Tech
Bronwyn Conroy, College of Charleston
Kenzie Farrier-Pilon, California Baptist University
Tarisa Frans, Cornell University
Aleena Garcia, University of California, Los Angeles
Madi George, University of Mississippi
Mia Gomez, University of Utah
Camille Hamilton, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Alexis Jensen, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Sophia Lundstrom, Sam Houston State University
Marina Mason, Northwestern University
Kai Minor, University of Oklahoma
Anna Moore, Purdue University
Makenna Moore, Jacksonville State University
Vic Moten, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Allison Oneacre, Pennsylvania State University
Kaitlyn Pallozzi, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Dani Rauscher, University of California, Santa Barbara
Kendall Wells, University of Oklahoma
Katelyn Wetteland, University of Nevada
Kinzey Woody, Wichita State University