After leading Northern Iowa in hits, runs and stolen bases this season, Sammey Bunch was named the Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday.
Bunch (Fatima High School), who was also a first-team all-conference selection at shortstop, has started all 50 games so far this season for the Panthers. She ranks in the top-10 in the MVC in batting average (.333), slugging percentage (.612), runs scored (41), hits (49), RBI (32), doubles (12), triples (4), total bases (90) and stolen bases (12).
Northern Iowa is the top seed in the MVC Tournament, which starts today at Illinois State. UNI has a double-bye and won't play until Friday in the semifinals.