-- Story provided by Trine University Athletics --

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has announced the ten finalists, one from each of the NCAA's regions, for the 2023 TUCCI/NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award with Trine University softball's Debbie Hill among the elite group.

Hill, a native of New Whiteland, Ind., is one of three of the ten nominees that is still in action this week as a part of the super regional round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Softball Championship. Eight of the ten regional representatives led their teams to an NCAA berth.

Hill has been a standout for the Thunder throughout the 2023 campaign both in the circle and at the plate. She has already accumulated a handful of awards including firs team All-MIAA by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, first team All-Region by the NFCA and the Angola, Indiana Regional's Most Outstanding Player.

She entered the postseason ranked nationally in multiple pitching statistics including ERA (1.06), hits allowed per game (4.62), strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.09), strikeouts per game (8.6) and WHIP (0.81). At the same time, she is one of the best power hitters in the country sitting just outside of the top-ten with 12 home runs and 0.31 home runs per game.

Established in 2016 the TUCCI/NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year award annually honors the outstanding athletic achievement of freshmen in NCAA Division III. To be eligible, student-athletes must come from an NFCA member institution. The award has been presented six times with this season marking the seventh. This year's winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 30.