Indiana University Athletics
Kern Named TUCCI/NFCA National Freshman of the Year Top 25 Finalist
4/28/2023 12:00:00 PM | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana freshman Taryn Kern has been selected as a top-25 finalist for the TUCCI/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year award, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association committee announced on Friday afternoon.
Kern is a four-time Big Ten weekly award winner on the season as a leader in the Hoosiers offense production. She currently holds a team high of 19 home runs, 57 RBI, 38 walks, 50 hits and 54 runs scored.
Additionally, the San Jose, Calif., native leads the Big Ten in seven categories: slugging percentage (.983), OBS (.599), OPS (1.582), RBI (57), home runs (19), walks (38), and hit by pitch (18). The IU freshman is second in runs scored (54) and third in conference in batting average (.420).
She currently leads the nation in home runs with 19 after breaking the program record of 17 long balls against Minnesota for most in a single season. The record was held by IU Hall of Famer and Olympian Michelle Venturella in 1994.
The rookie continues to add to her collection of accolades, most recently being named to the Top-25 Player of the Year List.
Kern has tallied nine multi-RBI games on the season, reaching base in 41 consecutive games.
The top 10 finalists will be announced on May 11, with the three finalists being named on May 25. The TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year is set to be revealed on May 30.
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 red-shirt freshman
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Kern is a four-time Big Ten weekly award winner on the season as a leader in the Hoosiers offense production. She currently holds a team high of 19 home runs, 57 RBI, 38 walks, 50 hits and 54 runs scored.
Additionally, the San Jose, Calif., native leads the Big Ten in seven categories: slugging percentage (.983), OBS (.599), OPS (1.582), RBI (57), home runs (19), walks (38), and hit by pitch (18). The IU freshman is second in runs scored (54) and third in conference in batting average (.420).
She currently leads the nation in home runs with 19 after breaking the program record of 17 long balls against Minnesota for most in a single season. The record was held by IU Hall of Famer and Olympian Michelle Venturella in 1994.
The rookie continues to add to her collection of accolades, most recently being named to the Top-25 Player of the Year List.
Kern has tallied nine multi-RBI games on the season, reaching base in 41 consecutive games.
The top 10 finalists will be announced on May 11, with the three finalists being named on May 25. The TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year is set to be revealed on May 30.
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 red-shirt freshman
Follow Indiana Softball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
#GoIU
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