Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker named NFCA Freshman of the Year

As the Florida softball team heads to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series, freshman right fielder Taylor Shumaker will do so with some new honors. She was tabbed the NFCA Freshman of the Year on Tuesday.

The prestigious award comes at the tail end of a fantastic freshman campaign. Shumaker has been one of the nation’s best all year long, regardless of class.

She was a unanimous selection to win the award, becoming just the second Florida player to win the Award. Amanda Lorenz also won it in 2016.

Taylor Shumaker is batting .389 with 86 RBI, tied for most of any player in the NCAA. She also leads the team with 22 home runs, 72 runs scored, 17 doubles and an .818 slugging percentage.

Shumaker is a threat even when she’s not making contact, too. The Fullerton, Calif., native has drawn 40 walks. Once she’s on base she’s problematic, as well, stealing 18 bases on 19 attempts.

And lest you think Taylor Shumaker was a regular season phenom only, she’s been outstanding so far during NCAA Tournament play. Shumaker is hitting .500 with four home runs, 10 RBI, eight runs, 10 walks, a 1.357 slugging percentage and a .708 on-base percentage through the first six games in the postseason.

With her next home run and her next RBI, Taylor Shumaker will set the Florida single season school records in each respective category. That’s an insane season for a freshman.

Joining Shumaker as finalists were the University of Oregon‘s Rylee McCoy and University of Alabama‘s Audrey Vandagriff. The winner was voted by the Association’s Division I All-America Committee.

For Florida, the next stop is in Oklahoma City. The Gators secured their spot in the Women’s College World Series over the weekend, knocking off rival Georgia in a Super Regional series. It took all three games to do so.

Taylor Shumaker and Florida will begin Women’s College World Series action with a game against Texas on Thursday at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.