Stanford Cardinal
Overall Rank: #10
Conference Rank: #5 Pac-12
Stanford Team Page
The Cardinal posted a 42-17 record, 10-11 in the Pac-12 and lost to Alabama 1-0 in the Super Regional—the 14h consecutive year Stanford had qualified for the NCAA Tournament and the fifth time in seven years the team has advanced to a Super Regional under head coach John Rittman, who begins his 16th year in 2012. The Cardinal opens their season February 10 against Cal State Northridge in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona.
2011: 42-17, 10-11
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: John Rittman
Field Players:
Eleven letter winners return led by shortstop Ashley Hansen, the USA Softball Player of the Year in 2011. Hansen returns for her senior year after hitting .495 with a .979 slugging percentage, .558 on-base percentage and only five strikeouts in 191 at-bats. She’s had an impressive career, but hasn’t been to the Women’s College World Series yet and she would like nothing better than to conclude her senior year in Oklahoma City. In addition to Hansen, also back are second baseman Jenna Rich (led the team with 10 homers), outfielder Sarah Hassman (her 35 stolen bases led the team). Other returning starters are Jenna Becerra (INF), Maya Burns (C/UTL), Danielle Miller (DP/C) and Corey Harnewich (OF).
Pitchers:
Returning is Teagan Gerhart who went 26-13 in the circle with a 1.74 ERA and 250 strikeouts in 257.2 innings in her sophomore year after bouncing back from an injury which shortened her freshman season. Lost through graduation was pitcher Ashley Chinn, who was 16-4 with a 2.30 ERA. Gerhart will need someone behind her to help out when needed and freshman Nyree White could fill the void, depending on how fast she adapts to college softball.
Who To Watch:
The Cardinal have eight true freshman including White, daughter of Oregon head coach Mike White, who will pitch and Hanna Winter who will play third base. Leah White, (no relation to Nyree) has better than average speed and could contend in the outfield.
Final Projection:
The Cardinal batted .300 with a .442 slugging percentage but will need a balanced attack to advance in the NCAA tournament this year. The Cardinal needs to put more pressure on their opponents than they did in conference last year when they only had 19 extra-base hits.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Jenna Rich, 2B, 200
Hits: Ashley Hansen, SS, 95
Home Runs: Jenna Rich, 2B, 10
RBIs: Jenna Rich, 2B, 49
Runs: Sarah Hassman, OF, 60
Stolen Bases: Sarah Hassman, OF, 35
Wins: Teagan Gerhart, P, 26
Innings Pitched: Teagan Gerhart, P, 257.2
Strikeouts: Teagan Gerhart, P, 250
Saves: Teagan Gerhart, P, 3
Madness 2012 NPF Draft Rankings:
#11 Ashley Hansen
Madness 2012 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#48 Nyree White
