LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Trine's Danielle Ray is in the mix for the 2017 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III National Player of the Year award.
Ray (Hamilton, Ohio / Badin) is one of 25 players in the mix for honor. She is one of just two freshman to be named to the list of potential finalists. The list is a collaborative effort between the NFCA's Division III Head Coaches and All-America committees. The 10 finalists will be named next month and the winner will be revealed following the conclusion of the season.
Ray has stormed onto the national scene with an outstanding debut campaign. She won the first 13 decision of her collegiate career, including wins over currently ranked foes Luther (No. 4), Messiah (No. 9) and Cortland (T-No. 18). The freshman notched a scoreless streak of 39.1 innings, spanning nearly a full calendar month (Mar. 24-Apr.20). During that stretch, she tossed five consecutive shutouts and notched one save.
Overall, Ray sports a 13-2 record with a 1.56 ERA and four saves. In 107.2 innings, she has allowed just 68 hits and walked 19 while striking out 116. As of the latest NCAA statistics report released April 20, Ray had allowed the 17th-fewest hits per seven innings (4.34) in the nation. She also ranked 23rd in the nation with five shutouts, 34th in strikeouts per seven innings and 43rd in strikeouts.
Trine is ranked No. 6 in the nation by the NFCA. The Thunder own an overall record of 28-4 and a 9-3 mark in the MIAA.
Trine returns to action Wednesday, Apr. 26 at Hope. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The two teams are part of a three-way tie for second in the MIAA with Saint Mary's, with all three teams holding a .750 winning percentage in league play.