NORMAN – University of Oklahoma infielder Shay Knighten has been named one of three finalists for the 2016 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year, it was announced Wednesday.
The Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Knighten leads the Sooners with 11 home runs and 52 runs batted in and ranks second in batting average (.395), runs scored (42), slugging percentage (.678), and total bases (103). Within the Big 12 she ranks second in RBI per game (1.00), is fourth in home runs per game (0.21) and sixth in average and slugging.
She's played in 52 games with 48 starts and has shown her versatility by starting 27 games at first base, 11 at second base, seven as the designated player, two in right field and one in left field.
Among her highlights this season include a multi-homer game against No. 2 Michigan, a 3-4 performance with five runs batted in at New Mexico State, a walk-off home run against No. 6 Alabama, a game against Texas where she had three hits, including a three-run homer, scored four runs and stole two bases, and a 3-3 effort with four runs batted in last week's NCAA Regional against Ole Miss.
For her performance in the Texas series, Knighten was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the first time in her career.
In addition to being Big 12 Freshman of the Year and Big 12 Player of the Week, Knighten has also been named to the All-Region First Team, First Team All-Big 12 and All-Big 12 Freshman Team.
Knighten is joined as a finalist by Florida teammates Kelly Barnhill and Amandra Lorenz. A pitcher, Barnhill is 15-1 on the season with a 1.36 ERA and 167 strikeouts to 55 walks in 108.1 innings this year. Lorenz has started all 61 games in the outfield for the Gators and is hitting .406 with eight homers, 47 RBI, a .634 slugging percentage and .531 OBP.
This is the third year of the award, and Knighten is looking to become the second Sooner to take home the honor. Last year, current Oklahoma sophomore Paige Parker was named the winner.
The 2016 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year will be announced May 31.
