LOUISVILLE, Ky.- The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its Tucci Sports/NFCA Division II Softball Freshman of the Year finalists on Wednesday afternoon, and
Danielle Ciliberto (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon) was the Atlantic Region representative as one of eight finalists on the list.
Ciliberto, a First Team All-PSAC East selection and NFCA Second Team All-Region pick, enjoyed an outstanding year in the circle for the Golden Rams, finishing the season with a record of 14-5 and a 1.66 ERA over 122 innings of work. Ciliberto tossed nine complete games and seven shutouts while also registering three saves and striking out 96 batters, holding opponents to a .233 batting average on the year.
The PSAC East Pitcher of the Week earlier this season, Ciliberto struck out a staff-high 11 vs Kutztown in PSAC East play earlier this Spring, which was the most by a Golden Ram pitcher in a single-game since Amanda Houck fanned 11 vs U Sciences in 2018 and the most by a pitcher in a league game since Brooke Harner struck out 14 in 2015 vs the Golden Bears.
First given out in 2014 at the Division I level before expanding to include DII in 2015, Ciliberto hopes to become the sixth freshman pitcher to win this award, and the third the last three years after Caleigh Rister from California (Pa.) earned the honor a year ago.
