Three student-athletes from the SEC are among the 25 initial finalists for the Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award, which will be presented prior to the start of the 2017 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
This year's finalists from the SEC include Bailey Hemphill from Alabama, Braxton Burnside from Missouri and Caylan Arnold from Tennessee. Hemphill, who has divided her time between catcher and designated player, has started all 45 games for the Crimson Tide. She currently owns a .330 batting average and is ranked second in the SEC in walks (43) and tied for first place with her 1.