LOUISVILLE, Ky. - WAC Freshman of the Year Kelsey Horton of NM State has been selected as a Top 10 finalist for Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I National Freshman of the Year, the association announced Thursday. This is the first time in program history an Aggie has been chosen as a Top 10 finalist for National Freshman of the Year.
Horton, a San Clemente, Calif., native, started all 55 games at first base, amasssing 64 hits in 167 at-bats for a team-high .383 batting average. She leads the team in runs scored (54) and ranks 58th nationally in runs per game. Horton also has a team-high 13 home runs and ranks 105th in the nation in home runs per game (0.24).
The first team All-WAC honoree hit a grand slam in her first at-bat as an Aggie and had home runs in three of her first four at-bats. Horton leads the WAC in slugging percentage, runs scored and home runs. She is second in the league in hits and ranks third in RBIs. Defensively, Horton leads the WAC in putouts and is No. 2 in fielding double plays.
The top three finalists will be announced on Wednesday, May 25, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 31.