Radford's Redmon, Upstate's Kardatzke Named NFCA Freshman of the Year Finalists
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Association (NFCA) revealed Friday afternoon that Radford's
Dakota Redmon and USC Upstate's
Sophia Kardatzke have been named Top 25 Finalists for the 2025 NFCA Division I Freshman of the Year award. It is the first time the Big South has multiple finalists in the same season.
Redmon is currently in the midst of an incredible debut campaign that has seen her atop the Big South statistical standings for innings pitched, ERA, strikeouts, opponent batting average and winning decisions. The Stokesdale, N.C. native has thrown 121 strikeouts over 159 innings with a 2.46 ERA this season leading a Radford pitching staff that ranks top 100 in the nation. The freshman has been even more incredible confined to Big South play. Through 10 starts in the circle she has earned eight winning decisions with 10 complete games and a 1.38 ERA. Redmon has shut down her conference foes with 53 strikeouts and a .184 opposing batting average. The honor is just the second ever in program history for a Highlander. The last Radford softball student-athlete to earn the distinction was Cori McMillan during the 2022 campaign. Redmon represents one of two Big South members on the list this season and one of just eight mid-major representatives.
The home run leader in the Big South along with the #1 batting average, Kardatzke (Jacksonville, Fla.) has been named the Big South Freshman of the Week six times in the season, won Freshman of the Year at the Sparty Awards, and leads the conference with 13 home runs. Kardatzke's stellar freshman season will continue to gain national recognition and could be the start of an amazing collegiate career with high upside with the leadership of USC Upstate Softball.
This year's finalists hail from 24 different universities and represent 10 NCAA Division I conferences from across the nation. The Southeastern Conference led the way with eight honorees, while the Big Ten Conference followed with five representatives. The Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12, Big South Conference and Sun Belt Conference earned two plaudits apiece. On May 8, the list will be trimmed to the top 10 and the three finalists will be released on May 22. The winner will be revealed on May 27.
The list of 25 was selected by the NFCA. The top 10, top three and winner are selected by the NFCA Division I All-America Committee. To be eligible, student-athletes must be nominated by their member head coach and in their first year of NCAA Division I collegiate competition as a true freshman or redshirt freshman. Nominated student-athletes remain in consideration for Top-10 selection.
2025 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25
AnnaLea Adams, Auburn
Ilove'a Brittingham, BYU
Morgan Brown, ULM
Makenzie Butt, Boise State
Jada Cooper, Grand Canyon
Alexis DeBoer, Washington
Tori Edwards, LSU
Addisen Fisher, UCLA
Bella Foran, FAU
Jazzy Francik, Florida State
Kelly Fricker, Lehigh
Miali Guachino, Ole Miss
Ella Harrison, Rutgers
Jayden Heavener, LSU
Maddie Johnson, Georgia Southern
SOPHIA KARDATZKE, USC Upstate
Jordan Lynch, Virginia Tech
Rylee McCoy, Oregon
Ella McDowell, Arkansas
Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Oklahoma
Lauren Putz, Michigan
DAKOTA REDMON, Radford
Taylor Shumaker, Florida
Audrey Vandagriff, Alabama
Isabella Vega, UCF