Nelson Named NFCA Freshman of the Year Finalist
April 21, 2016 | Softball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State pitcher Meehra Nelson has been named one of 25 finalists for the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I National Freshman of the Year, the organization announced on Thursday.
Nelson, a native of Simi Valley, Calif., is the only student-athlete from the Pac-12 to make the list. The righty is one of seven pitchers amongst the top 25 finalists.
“Our staff here is ecstatic for Meehra,” Oregon State head coach Laura Berg said. “We are extremely proud of what she has been able to accomplish this year, but we are also not surprised by it. We know how talented she is and what she brings in the circle for us.”
The rookie has opened her career in brilliant fashion, compiling a 15-6 record with four saves, a 2.90 ERA and 170 strikeouts, the second-most of any freshman in the nation and tops amongst freshmen in power conferences. Nelson leads all Pac-12 freshmen in seven significant categories, including wins, saves, strikeouts, batters struck out looking (55), innings pitched (135.0), batting average against (.194) and total appearances (33).
Nelson has shined for the Beavers in their biggest wins this season, including in a two-hit, complete-game shutout of then-No. 18 Kentucky in her first career start. Nelson allowed only two earned runs with six strikeouts in seven innings to help the Beavers defeat then-No. 12/11 Oklahoma, and struck out four in 3.2 shutout innings of relief to seal OSU's victory at then-No. 13/14 UCLA.
The Oregon State softball team hosts a three-game conference series against the 10th-ranked Washington Huskies this weekend at the OSU Softball Complex. This weekend's series begins on Friday at 1 p.m. PT, with game two also slated for a 1 p.m. PT start. First pitch for Sunday's series finale is set for 3 p.m. PT.
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/OregonStateSB, by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateSB or on Instagram at Instagram.com/OregonStateSB.
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