Bain Named Top 25 Finalist for NFCA Freshman of the Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.– Arkansas freshman C/UTL Brinli Bain has been named a Top 25 Finalist for the NFCA DI Freshman of the Year Award, the organization announced on Thursday afternoon.

Bain became the fifth Razorback since 2018 to be selected to the prestigious list, joining Ella McDowell (2025), Kennedy Miller (2024), Reagan Johnson (2023), and former Hog Mary Haff (2018). Additionally, Arkansas is the only program in the nation to have a top 25 finalist for the award in each of the previous four seasons.

This season, she has posted a .391 average with 45 hits, 15 doubles, three homers, 37 walks, 36 runs scored, 31 RBI and a .542 OBP while posting 13 multi-hit games and nine multi-RBI games. She has reached base in 42 of her 44 games played this season, while being the only player nationally to rank in the top five among D1 freshmen (Min 70 AB) in walks per game (1st, .80), OBP (1st, .547), and doubles (5th, 15) entering the week.

Her batting average (.391) and on-base percentage (.542) are on pace to be the best by a Razorback freshman all-time, while she currently ranks 13th in single-season hits by a rookie. Additionally, Bain’s 15 doubles are the most by a freshman in program history.

Defensively, Bain has seen action behind the plate and in right field. She owns a 1.000 fielding percentage with 95 putouts and nine assists. She has caught two of the three runners who have attempted to steal against her this season.

The NFCA DI Freshman of the Year award, established in 2014, honors exceptional athletic achievement among Division I freshman softball student-athletes. The Top 25 list will be narrowed to 10 players on May 7, followed by the announcement of three finalists on May 20. The winner will be revealed on May 26.

No. 6/9 Arkansas (38-7, 11-7 SEC) will be back in action this weekend when the Razorbacks host Missouri for a three-game SEC series. Game times are set for 5 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday. The series opener and finale will be streamed on SEC Network+, while game two will be televised on SEC Network.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.