DAHLONEGA – No. 11 University of North Georgia (UNG) softball freshman catcher Carleigh Knowles has been named the 2025 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II  Freshman of the Year as announced by the association Tuesday afternoon.

Knowles has recorded one of the best freshman seasons in program history in her first year in Dahlonega. 

She has already garnered Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Conference Accolades along with all-region acclaim from the NFCA and Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). 

Batting .393 with a single-season program record 21 home runs in 2025, Knowles has propelled UNG to the 2025 NCAA Division II Softball Championship after securing their eighth South Region Championship. 

The rookie has totaled 68 RBIs to go along with an .822 slugging percentage, a .452 on-base percentage and 13 stolen bases. She is currently tied for second in the nation in home runs, one shy of the top spot. Knowles is also fourth in total bases, tied for sixth in RBIs and 11th in slugging, making her the only player to rank in the top 15 nationally in those categories. 

She's been a stellar defender too, making just one miscue in 340 attempts while throwing out 10 attempted base stealers.

Knowles and the Nighthawks will take the field at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn. for the opening round of the DII Softball Championship Thursday, May 22 at 1:30 p.m. UNG will face No. 20 Saginaw Valley State who the Nighthawks swept in a doubleheader at home back in February.