Hempstead, N.Y. – Hofstra Softball freshman pitcher Sophie Dandola has been named a Top 25 candidate for the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Freshman of the Year, the association announced Thursday.
 
Dandola has been dominant in her first collegiate season, currently holding a 12-3 record and a team-best 1.33 ERA, which ranks second in the Colonial Athletic Association.
 
The Seaford, New York, native has held opponents to four hits or fewer in 20 of her 23 outings with an opponent batting average of .201. She's allowed just three home runs in 99.2 innings of work and walked just 16. She also leads the CAA in saves with four. Her performances have earned her a two CAA Rookie of the Week awards and two Pitcher of the Week honors. 
 
The NFCA will announced the Top 10 finalists on May 10, before narrowing the field to three on May 23, with the National Freshman of the Year being announced on May 29.