Completed Event: Softball versus Georgia on May 18, 2025 , Loss , 2, to, 5 , (F/8)
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Curd, Jennings Named Finalists for Tucci/NFCA Freshman of the Year
4/28/2023 11:24:00 AM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Duke softball freshmen Cassidy Curd and D'Auna Jennings have been named to the 2023 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25, the organization announced Friday.
Curd has been stout for the Blue Devils this season, holding a 12-1 record after 25 appearances in the circle. The Port St. Lucie, Fla., native was pinned with her first loss of the year on Wednesday, despite fanning a season-high 11 batters in 4.1 hitless innings. Curd's 11 strikeouts pushed her total to 107 on the year and made her the first player in program history to reach 100 strikeouts during their initial season.
Jennings, a product of Houston, Texas, has proved her power on offense, leading the team in batting average (.468) and stolen bases (19). Jennings earned her spot in the lineup, starting in centerfield in 47-of-49 games this year. Jennings carries a career-best 11-game hitting streak into the regular season series finale against Pittsburgh on Friday.
Duke and UCLA are the only two programs with a pair of honorees. Curd and Jennings are the first two Blue Devils to represent the program as finalists.
The Atlantic Coast Conference led the way with five honorees, while the Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference followed with four representatives. The Missouri Valley Conference was represented by three student-athletes, while the Big 12 and Sun Belt each had two. The Atlantic 10 Conference, Big Ten Conference, Patriot League, Southland Conference and Western Athletic Conference rounded out the nominations with one apiece.
On May 11, the list will be trimmed to a Top 10 and the three finalists will be released on May 25. The 2023 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year will be announced on May 30, prior to the start of the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
2023 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25
Sydney Berzon, LSU
Kenleigh Cahalan, Alabama
NiJaree Canady, Stanford
Cassidy Curd, Duke
Mihyia Davis, Louisiana
Olivia DiNardo, Arizona
AB Garcia*, Houston Christian
Leighann Goode, Texas
Sarah Gordon, Louisville
Megan Grant, UCLA
Jade Hylton, Virginia
D'Auna Jennings, Duke
Maya Johnson, Belmont
Reagan Johnson, Arkansas
Izzy Kemp, Dayton
Taryn Kern, Indiana
Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois
KK Mathis, James Madison
Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee
Alexis Pupillo, Northern Iowa
Makenna Reid, Florida State
Kasey Ricard, Boston University
Tanya Windle, Utah Tech
Jordan Woolery, UCLA
Kailey Wyckoff, Texas Tech
* denotes redshirt freshman
Curd has been stout for the Blue Devils this season, holding a 12-1 record after 25 appearances in the circle. The Port St. Lucie, Fla., native was pinned with her first loss of the year on Wednesday, despite fanning a season-high 11 batters in 4.1 hitless innings. Curd's 11 strikeouts pushed her total to 107 on the year and made her the first player in program history to reach 100 strikeouts during their initial season.
Jennings, a product of Houston, Texas, has proved her power on offense, leading the team in batting average (.468) and stolen bases (19). Jennings earned her spot in the lineup, starting in centerfield in 47-of-49 games this year. Jennings carries a career-best 11-game hitting streak into the regular season series finale against Pittsburgh on Friday.
Duke and UCLA are the only two programs with a pair of honorees. Curd and Jennings are the first two Blue Devils to represent the program as finalists.
The Atlantic Coast Conference led the way with five honorees, while the Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference followed with four representatives. The Missouri Valley Conference was represented by three student-athletes, while the Big 12 and Sun Belt each had two. The Atlantic 10 Conference, Big Ten Conference, Patriot League, Southland Conference and Western Athletic Conference rounded out the nominations with one apiece.
On May 11, the list will be trimmed to a Top 10 and the three finalists will be released on May 25. The 2023 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year will be announced on May 30, prior to the start of the NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
2023 TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25
Sydney Berzon, LSU
Kenleigh Cahalan, Alabama
NiJaree Canady, Stanford
Cassidy Curd, Duke
Mihyia Davis, Louisiana
Olivia DiNardo, Arizona
AB Garcia*, Houston Christian
Leighann Goode, Texas
Sarah Gordon, Louisville
Megan Grant, UCLA
Jade Hylton, Virginia
D'Auna Jennings, Duke
Maya Johnson, Belmont
Reagan Johnson, Arkansas
Izzy Kemp, Dayton
Taryn Kern, Indiana
Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois
KK Mathis, James Madison
Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee
Alexis Pupillo, Northern Iowa
Makenna Reid, Florida State
Kasey Ricard, Boston University
Tanya Windle, Utah Tech
Jordan Woolery, UCLA
Kailey Wyckoff, Texas Tech
* denotes redshirt freshman
Players Mentioned
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