Georgia State softball’s Drake finalist for Freshman of the Year

Release from Georgia State Athletics:

Georgia State’s true freshman standout Ivie Drake was named one of 10 finalist for the NFCA Division I National Freshman-of-the-Year award the organization announced Thursday.

The Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, Drake leads the conference in batting average (.466), hits (82), on-base percentage (.552), doubles (16) and runners picked off (6). The catcher is also second in slugging percentage (.926), RBI (65), runs scored (57) and home runs (21).

In the most recent national statistics standings, she ranks in the top 25 in six different categories including four in the top 15 and one in the top 10. Drake is 10th in slugging percentage, tied for 11th in home runs, tied for 13th in RBI, tied for 14th in batting average, 19th in home runs per game, 22nd in on-base percentage and 31st in RBI per game.

Nationally among freshman, Drake is first in home runs, RBI, RBI per game and slugging percentage. She is also second in batting average, on-base percentage and home runs per game. Drake is the first Panther to be named freshman of the year since Kaitlyn Medlam in 2011.

The vote to determine the final three will take place after NCAA regional play and the winners will be announced on May 21. The award will be presented at a live ceremony on May 26 prior to the start of the 2015 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.