LOUISVILLE, KY. - More honors continue to roll in for the Sharks as freshman sensation Maliyah Lawson was named a finalist for the Tucci/NFCA DII Freshman of the Year award.  

Created in 2015, the award honors the outstanding athletic achievement among freshman softball student-athletes throughout NCAA Division II. To be eligible, student-athletes must come from a NFCA member institution. 

Lawson played an integral role in the Sharks success this season, finishing her 2024 campaign with a .331 batting average, which ranked her tied for third on team. The Roseville native also showcased her speed around the bases, ranking second on the team in stolen bases (15). Lawson's best outing came against Flagler on April 9th, where she had three hits in four at bats, including her first career home run. To top it all off, she was also named the second SSC Freshman of the Year in program history, the first since Ashley Connor won it in 2022. 

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 21st.