LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - Brylynn Vallejos of the San Francisco State softball team has been named to the 2019 Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Player & Pitcher of the Year Top 25, the organization announced today.
"I am extremely proud of Brylynn for her tremendous honor of being recognized by the NFCA for the top 25 list," said Head Coach Alicia Reid. "She came in this fall with a tremendous work ethic and ready to soak up as much information as she could to take her game to the next level. She came into this program with that drive and determination to be the best athlete she could be, and has consistently all year taken extra reps in the infield or outfield. She would come to the office and take the keys to go hit on her own, to get better and improve. When we would have film study, she would sit front row taking notes, and ask to be sent the film so she could go back and watch it herself. She is a true student of the game, and will only continue to improve and fine tune her skill sets as she matures."
The Reno, Nevada product has taken the country by storm this season, leading the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a .456 batting average that is also the 23rd-best in the nation. The lefthander is two hits away from breaking the program's record for hits in a season, and her 82 hits so far not only lead the CCAA but are the third most in the country. Vallejos has a whopping 24 multi-hit contest this season, which is the most by a Gator in the last seven seasons.
The outfielder currently has 49 runs scored, and is four away from tying the program record for runs in a season which was set in 1991. A lethal threat on the basepaths, Vallejos' 32 stolen bases are the second-most in Gator history, trailing teammate Michelle Castro's 45 which she set last season.
Vallejos is the lone CCAA representative on the list and one of just two freshmen to be recognized. She becomes the first Gator in program history to earn this prestigious honor.
The Top 10 finalists will be announced on May 14 with the 2019 Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year revealed on May 30. The award was created in 2015 to honor the outstanding athletic achievement among softball student-athletes throughout Division II.
SF State, who is receiving votes in the NFCA National Poll and ranked No. 4 in the NCAA West Region, wrap up the regular season this weekend as they host Cal State East Bay. The Gators are in position to clinch their first CCAA Tournament berth since 2007.
