Cornell first-year standout Tarisa Frans has earned national recognition, landing on the NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25 list. She is the only Ivy League player included and the first Cornell softball player ever to receive the honor.
Frans has made an immediate impact in her debut season, appearing in 37 games and compiling a 1.068 OPS. She has totaled 56 hits and scored 44 runs while driving in 26. Her offensive production also includes eight extra-base hits and a home run, highlighting her versatility at the plate.
Across Division I, Cornell was one of eight programs represented on the list. The Southeastern Conference led all leagues with seven selections, followed by the Big Ten with six. The Big 12, Coastal Athletic Association, and Conference USA each had two players recognized. Single representatives came from the American Athletic Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big West Conference, Ivy League, Mountain West Conference, and Western Athletic Conference.
The initial Top 25 list was selected by the NFCA, with the final stages of voting handled by the NFCA Division I All-America Committee. The group will narrow the field to a top 10 and then a top three before naming the winner.
The National Freshman of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, May 26 ahead of the 2026 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Frans and the Cornell softball team will wrap up the regular season with an Ivy League series against Brown at Niemand-Robison Field. The teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., before concluding the series on Monday, April 27 at 12:30 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].