Cobleskill, NY – The SUNY Cobleskill Athletic Department honored first-year
Gabriella Wendelken (Stuyvesant, NY/Ichabod Crane) of the Fighting Tiger softball team as the 2024–25 Female Co-Rookie of the Year at its annual Athletics Awards Ceremony earlier this May.
The award is presented to a first-year female student-athlete who has made an immediate and significant impact on her program.
Wendelken delivered one of the most impressive freshman campaigns in program history, earning North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors. A true utility player, she made key contributions across the field—starting at first base, in the outfield, in the pitcher's circle, and as a consistent presence at the plate. Her performance played a major role in the Tigers completing their first-ever undefeated 12-0 NAC regular season and capturing their first NAC West Division regular season title.
Offensively, she led the team with a .396 batting average, a .513 on-base percentage, and a .582 slugging percentage. She tallied 36 hits, including 12 doubles, a triple, and a home run, while scoring 34 runs and driving in 21 RBIs.
In the circle, she went 8-4 with a 4.41 ERA and recorded a team-high 75 strikeouts. In NAC play, she was 3-0 with 36 strikeouts over 25 innings. Defensively, she logged 131 total chances with a .977 fielding percentage and was flawless in league play.
Wendelken finished among the NAC's top five in batting average, doubles, on-base percentage, and runs scored, while also leading all conference rookies in wins and strikeouts. She ranked in the top 50 nationally in both on-base percentage and doubles per game, and was recognized throughout the year with multiple NAC weekly awards.
Head coach
Morgan Flamholtz praised Wendelken's all-around impact on the team.
"Gabby's recognition is well deserved. She had an incredible season and proved herself as one of the top newcomers in the conference. I'm proud that her talent and impact were acknowledged both at the conference level and here at Cobleskill."
