LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thursday afternoon, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) revealed its 2024 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25 list. The group was highlighted by NM State freshman standout Desirae Spearman who has been one of the top freshmen in the country the entirety of her debut season at the collegiate level.
 
The El Paso, Texas, native was one of 25 finalists hailing from 21 different universities and 14 different NCAA Division I conferences. The list of 25 individuals was selected by the NFCA and will be reduced to 10 on May 9 based on a vote of the NFCA Division I All-America Committee. From there, three finalists will be named on May 23 prior to the winner being revealed on May 28.
 
This season has been nothing short of spectacular for the two-way phenom as she is currently maintaining a .386 batting average while leading the Crimson and White in home runs (15), OPS (1.377), RBIs (35) and total bases (88). She also ranks third on the team in total hits (36) despite missing 13 of the Aggies' 45 games due to injury. She is also tied for first among Conference USA hitters and ranks 21^st nationally with 15 home runs.
 
In addition to her success at the plate, Spearman has been a star in the circle for Head Coach Kathy Rodolph and the Aggies. Thus far, she holds an 8-2 record and has tallied 52 strikeouts while maintaining a 2.90 ERA in 12 appearances and 62.2 innings of work.
 
Her year was highlighted by a complete game, shutout victory over Nebraska on Feb. 16 in which she allowed just one hit and led the Aggies to a 3-0 win. Currently, Spearman leads the Aggie pitching unit in ERA while giving up just 54 hits and eight home runs.
 
This award adds to the list of Spearman's accomplishments this season as she has already been named the CUSA Freshman of the Week five times while also being named the CUSA Pitcher of the Week once.
 
Spearman becomes the first Aggie to be selected for this honor since 2021 when Matalasi Faapito was named to the NFCA Division National Freshman of the Year Top 30.
 
The complete list of 2024 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25 honorees can be found below.
 
Lorraine Alo, Portland State
Jaysoni Beachum, Florida State
Sam Buckley, Saint Mary's
Michelle Chatfield, Virginia Tech
Rosie Davis, Oklahoma State
Jesse Farrell, UNLV
Karli Godwin, Oklahoma State
Maddia Groff, Southern Illinois
Jensin Hall, Dartmouth
Kayden Henry, Texas
Teagan Kavan, Texas
Sophia Knight, Boise State
Kennedy Miller, Arkansas
Bridget Nemeth, Penn State
McKenzie Oslanzi, Eastern Illinois
Ella Parker, Oklahoma
Kasidi Pickering, Oklahoma
Keagan Rothrock, Florida
Maddi Rutan, Eastern Kentucky
Regan Shockey, Arizona
Brooklyn Shroyer, Fairleigh Dickinson
Desirae Spearman, New Mexico State
Sophie Sun, Harvard
Isa Torres, Florida State
Sonia Zhang, Princeton
 
About the TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Award
The TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award was created in 2014 to honor outstanding athletic achievement among Division I freshmen softball student-athletes. In 2024, the NFCA will award Freshman of the Year plaudits to a student-athlete from NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII and NAIA. For more information about all NFCA Awards, visit nfca.org.
 
TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Winners
2023 – NiJaree Canady, Stanford; 2022 – Jordy Bahl, Oklahoma; 2021 – Tiare Jennings, Oklahoma; 2019 – Danielle Williams, Northwestern; 2018 – Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma; 2017 – Rachel Garcia, UCLA; 2016 – Amanda Lorenz, Florida; 2015 – Paige Parker, Oklahoma; 2014 – Annie Aldrete, Tennessee & Kasey Cooper, Auburn
 
For complete coverage of NM State Softball during the 2024 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Softball), Twitter (@NMStateSoftball) and Instagram (@NMStateSoftball).