LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Honors continue to roll in for Heidelberg University Softball player Cara Meyer -- and this one is massive. On Thursday, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced that Meyer is a finalist for their national Freshman of the Year award. Meyer is the Region VII representative on the national ballot.   

One of only 46 freshmen across Division III to receive all-region honors from the NFCA, Meyer emerged as a steady presence in right field for the Student Princes. The First Team All-OAC selection put together a historic freshman season, highlighted by a record 22 doubles. Along with the doubles record, Meyer closed the season with three home runs, 36 runs scored, 70 hits, 39 RBIs, and a superb .461 batting average.

Meyer is the first player in program history to be named a Freshman of the Year finalist.

"To say that I am proud of Cara would be an understatement," said Heidelberg Head Coach Mari Briggs. "Cara is very deserving of all of the accolades she has received this year. She played a critical role in our success as a team this year, both on the field and off."

Meyer joins Paige Murphy (Tufts), Abby Merchant (Worcester Polytechnic Institute), Alexis Brown (Nazareth), Camryn Harry (Stockton), Josie Hoffacker (Muhlenberg), Anslee Saunchegraw (Piedmont), Kiran Sanford (UW-Oshkosh), Olivia Sanborn (Bethany Lutheran) and Emma Boren (East Texas Baptist).

The NFCA Freshman of the Year will be named on May 26.