Missouri Tigers
Overall Rank: #37
Conference Rank: #7 Big 12
Missouri Team Page
Coming off three straight trips to Oklahoma City and the Women’s College World Series, youth will be served as new team members will be counted on to come and contribute right away. Missouri looks to finish their final season in the Big 12 Conference with another run at the conference championship and a trip back to Oklahoma City for a fourth consecutive season.
2011: 53-10 15-3
2011 Postseason: WCWS
Coach: Ehren Earlywine
Field Players:
It starts with Ashley Fleming, this dual purpose second team All-American in 2011 led the Tigers in virtually all hitting categories; average, homeruns and rbi’s. Fleming is very disciplined at the plate with 26 walks and only 17 strikeouts last season. Also, Jenna Marston will be relied upon heavily to step up and fill the void on the basepaths left by graduated senior Rhea Taylor who had 43 stolen bases in 2011 and was a huge table setter for the explosive Tiger offense.
Pitchers:
Chelsea Thomas was absolutely dominant and had an eye popping strikeout to walk ratio as she struck out 397 batters and only walked 53 last season. Kristin Nottleman, a senior right hander who started 18 games in 2011 is expected to back up Thomas once again this season. Nicole Hudson and Lindsay Muller will be fiercely competing for time in the circle.
Who to Watch:
Watch for Kelsi Jones to make an immediate impact in the outfield for Missouri in 2012. Jones comes in a much decorated high school player. She was named an Under Armour All-American, ESPN Rise All-American and was the Gatorade Player of the year in the state of Indiana. Her strengths are hitting for power and speed which will be crucial with the departure of Rhea Taylor from the Tiger lineup. Missouri was able to get Jones away from future SEC conference mates Kentucky and Georgia.
Final Projection:
Coach Ehren Earlywine has come home to Missouri and invigorated the Tiger program with great energy and a total commitment to playing elite caliber softball. After three trips to the WCWS, Earlywhine has this program in a position to reload instead of rebuild. If Nottleman can build on her 17-1 season in 2011 and keep her production up, the Tigers should be in a tremendous position for securing a NCAA Regional berth with an outside shot at hosting. Offensively, the key is making sure that Fleming and Marston don’t have to carry the load for the entire season, but with the depth of the freshmen, and the team in general, should make the Missouri offense a pretty dangerous lot once again in 2012.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Nicole Hudson, IF/OF, 184
Hits: 2 players tied at 62
Home Runs: Ashley Fleming, 1B/OF, 14
RBIs: Ashley Fleming, IF/OF, 62
Runs: Jenna Marston, IF, 57
Stolen Bases: Jenna Marston, IF, 12
Wins: Chelsea Thomas, P, 32
Innings Pitched: Chelsea Thomas, P, 271.1
Strikeouts: Chelsea Thomas, P, 397
Saves: Kristin Nottleman, P, 3; Chelsea Thomas, P, 3
Madness 2012 NPF Draft Rankings:
#2 Ashley Fleming
Madness 2012 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#18 Kelsi Jones
#22 Corrin Genovese
