2023 NCAA Freshman Of The Year: NiJaree Canady

Stanford's NiJaree Canady is Softball America's NCAA Freshman of the Year for the 2023 college softball season.

Canady, who took the college softball world by storm when she stepped up in a big way for Stanford at the 2023 Women's College World Series, was an absolute force in the circle during her rookie campaign.

She posted a 17-3 record with a nation-best 0.57 ERA, to go along with 218 strikeouts. Canady also only walked 21 batters in 2023, while firing two no-hitters and allowing 11 earned runs all season. Opponents posted just a .137 batting average against her this spring.

Canady helped Stanford to a semifinals appearance at the 2023 WCWS, which marked the program's first trip to Oklahoma City since 2004.

2023 Women's College World Series Preview

Oklahoma, Florida State, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Washington, Stanford and Utah will compete for a national title.