LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) revealed Wednesday that Cal State San Marcos standout Paige Donnelly has been named the West Region finalist for the 2022 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Freshman of the Year award.

Donnelly is one of eight freshmen from across the country to be honored, and the winner will be announced next Wednesday.
 
Donnelly has made an immediate impact to the No. 11 Cougars this season, leading the team in batting average (.424), slugging percentage (.708), RBIs (56), doubles (16) and home runs (7). The Poway native has also tallied a team-best 16 multi-RBI games.
 
Donnelly was named CCAA Newcomer of the Year and to the All-CCAA first team earlier this month. Last week, Donnelly earned D2CAA and NFCA All-West Region first-team recognition and was named a NFCA National Player/Pitcher of the Year Top 25 finalist.
 
The top-seeded Cougars will host sixth-seeded Cal State Dominguez Hills this week in the NCAA Division II West Super Regionals in a best of three series. Game one is slated for Thursday at noon and game two is set for Friday at 11 a.m. The if-necessary game is scheduled for Friday at approximately 1:30 p.m.