Hull earned 2017 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III National Freshman of the Year in addition to First Team All-American honors. Junior first baseman Cassetty Howerin was also placed on the All-American First Team while Kiersten Richardson was a third team selection.
This is the second-straight year the Marlins have claimed the National Freshman of the Year as pitcher Kandis Kresinske took home the honor last season. The Marlins also tied a program best with three All-Americans.
Hull, a left-handed pitcher from Chesterfield, Va., heads into the NCAA Division III Championship in Oklahoma City with a 29-2 record as part of a lethal 1-2 punch in the circle with fellow freshman Courtney Wright (15-0, 1.36 ERA) for the top-ranked (48-2) Marlins this season. She has 13 shutouts, 326 strikeouts and has allowed just 48 walks and 12 earned runs in 189.1 innings this season. Her 29 victories lead Division III and her hits allowed per seven innings (2.77), strikeouts, strikeouts per seven innings (12.1) and earned-run average (0.44) all rank second nationally behind fellow NCAA Division III Championship competitor Lindsey Thayer of St. John Fisher.
Howerin earned First Team All-American honors after garnering ODAC Player of the Year honors. She was also named to the All-American First Team last year, becoming the fourth Marlin to be named an All-American more than once. Howerin has been a threat across the board this year, batting .441 with 11 home runs, 48 RBI, 44 runs, and 25 stolen bases.
Richardson is an All-American for the first time in her career, earning third-team acknowledgment for her strong season. She leads the nation with 60 stolen bases on the year and paces the Marlins with 62 runs scored to go with five home runs.
The Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year and the NFCA Division III All-America softball teams were selected by eight NCAA Division III head coaches representing each of the eight NCAA regions. Those earning first team All-Region recognition were eligible to move forward to be considered to be chosen by the committee as All-Americans. NFCA member coaches nominate and vote for the Association's All-Region teams. Schutt Sports sponsors Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year awards in the NFCA's member divisions.
The Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III Player of the Year honoree will be chosen following the completion of the NCAA Championship next week.
