2018 Amador Valley graduate and current Northwestern University freshman Danielle Williams set Big Ten softball history this week when she added the NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year honor to her growing list of collegiate accomplishments.
Last year's Prep2Prep NCS Player of the Year had already been named First Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after leading the Wildcats to the Super Regionals, where they were knocked out of the post-season by Oklahoma. Along the way, she racked up 31 victories in the circle and notched 317 strikeouts. Her 31 victories were third in the nation, and her Freshman of the Year is the first of its kind for any player from the Big Ten.
Williams pitched 34 consecutive scoreless innings in March and April, and then led Northwestern to victory in the Evanston Regional. She was also named Third Team All-American by the NFCA and First Team All-Great Lakes Region. Williams also contributed at the plate, with three home runs and 21 RBIs.
Last year, Williams led Amador Valley to the second NCS title of her high school career, blanking this year's champion, Foothill, and also hitting the game-winning two-run home run.
