D1 Freshman of the Year: NiJaree Canady

Following Oklahoma’s NCAA record-run to a third straight national title at the Women’s College World Series, it’s time to sit back and celebrate the best and the brightest of the 2023 season. D1Softball will be handing out its postseason awards over the next few days.

Freshman of the Year: NiJaree Canady, Stanford

The flamethrowing rookie was this season’s breakout star as she helped lead Stanford to the semifinals of the Women’s College World Series. Canady arrived on the college scene with the maturity and poise of a veteran ace. She dominated opponents from the start, not allowing a run through her first 51.1 innings pitched.

The Topeka, Kansas native finished 17-3 with a nation-leading 0.57 ERA. She recorded 218 strikeouts and only 21 walks while holding opponents to a .137 batting average in 135.0 inning pitched. Canady threw two no-hitters and had eight shutouts with four saves. She allowed only 11 earned runs the entire season.

In the third appearance of her career, Canady struck out 16 batters in a one-hit shutout against Charlotte. Less than a month later, she struck out 18 in a no-hitter against Villanova. Once the rest of the nation got a chance to watch Canady more in the postseason, they saw just how much talent and potential she possessed.