PROVO, Utah — BYU softball had three student-athletes represented on Softball America's Freshman Watch List, the outlet announced on Tuesday morning.
Catcher Ilove'a Brittingham, infielder Danica Acosta and left-handed pitcher Jada Villegas were the three Cougars named to the 170-player list that was based on conversations that the outlet had with coaches who believe their student-athletes will make an impact this upcoming season.
Brittingham, a 5-foot-9 Nipomo, California native, was a two-time CalHiSports All-State Team honoree, the 2024 NCSAA National Hitter of the Year and 2024 All-CIF Southern Section Team honoree. She hit .540 as a senior with 47 hits, 42 runs, 38 RBI, 19 homers and a .972 fielding percentage.
Acosta is a two-time 18U Alliance national champion (2022-23). The 5-foot-four El Centro, California product was an all-league honoree to go along with a CIF title and all-league nod in volleyball.
Also a two-time 18U Alliance national champion (2022-23), Villegas is a 5-foot-8 southpaw out of San Bernardino, California. She is a two-time all-state honoree (2022-23), two-time Citrus Belt League MVP (2022-23), was the 2023 AFCS Most Outstanding Player and was named to the All-Citrus Belt First Team in 2022 and 2024.
The Cougars, who begin their 2025 slate with five games at UC San Diego's La Jolla Invitational starting Thursday, Feb. 6, have also had Bre Townsend named the D1 Softball's D100 Freshman Watch List and Lily Owens ranked No. 74 on Softball America's Preseason Top 100 list.
View the full Freshman Watch List at the Softball America website.