Washington Huskies
Overall Rank: #2
Conference Rank: #1 Pac 12
In 2019, the Washington Huskies returned to the Women’s College World Series for the third year in a row. It was the Huskies’ 14th WCWS appearance, including their 2009 championship. Washington received the #3 seed going into the NCAA Tournament for their 26th straight tournament appearance after becoming Pac-12 co-champions with the eventual national champions, UCLA. The Huskies swept through their regional and super regional, the latter over #14 seed Kentucky. #6 Arizona then defeated Washington 3-1 in their opener at the WCWS. Washington battled through the elimination bracket with wins over #7 Minnesota 5-3 and #13 Oklahoma State 1-0, before losing to UCLA 3-0. The Huskies were ranked #3 in the final NFCA Poll.
2019: 52-9, 20-4
2019 Postseason: Women’s College World Series
Coach: Heather Tarr
Key Departed Players:
Taran Alvelo, RHP, 1.55 ERA, 26-6 W/L, 203.1 IP, 300 SO
Amirah Milloy, OF, .319 BA, 3 HR, 22 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Gabbie Plain, RHP, 1.24 ERA, 24-2 W/L, 186.0 IP, 246 SO
Sis Bates, SS, .387 BA, 0 HR, 30 RBI, 10 SB
Morganne Flores, C, .348 BA, 23 HR, 61 RBI
Taryn Atlee, 2B, .335 BA, 0 HR, 20 RBI
Sami Reynolds, OF, .330 BA, 5 HR, 43 RBI
SilentRain Espinoza, 3B, .324 BA, 2 HR, 18 RBI
Madison Huskey, OF, .270 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI
Kaija Gibson, 1B/OF, .262 BA, 2 HR, 24 RBI
Projection:
The Huskies are led by first-team NCFA All-Americans senior SS Sis Bates and junior RHP Gabbie Plain, and second-teamer senior C Morganne Flores. The only players to replace from last year’s WCWS lineup are RHP Taran Alvelo and OF Amirah Milloy. Alvelo led the Pac-12 with 300 strikeouts and ranked second all-time for Washington with 895 in her career. Plain will hold down the ace role in 2020 and is expected to be named to the Australian team for the Tokyo Olympics. All indications are that Plain will play for the Huskies in 2020 prior to the Olympics. This will could make the difference for the Huskies in the Pac-12 as UCLA (Rachel Garcia and Bubba Nickles) and Arizona (Dejah Mulipola) both lose players who are foregoing this season to play for the USA team. Junior LHP Pat Moore (2.39 ERA, 2-1 W/L, 29.1 IP, 21 SO) and freshman RHP Kelley Lynch (2019 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year) will support Plain in the circle. Lynch could play some first base as well, pushing senior Kaija Gibson to the outfield where Gibson saw playing time as a freshman. Freshman Jadelyn Allchin will also battle for an OF spot and sophomore transfer Baylee Klingler will challenge SilentRain Espinoza for playing time at 3B. In her 16th year as the Huskies’ head coach, Heather Tarr will field an experienced team that is always known for their stellar defense and will be seeking her second national championship at Washington.
Projected Postseason: Women’s College World Series
Madness 2020 Draft Rankings:
#5 Sis Bates
#20 Morganne Flores
