Stanford Cardinal
Overall Rank: #18
Conference Rank: #7 Pac-12
Stanford Team Page
In 2012, the Stanford Cardinal, led by Head Coach John Rittman, made its 15th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, while turning in one of the school’s best years offensively. They finished the season ninth nationally, hitting .318, a single season school record. The Cardinal also set single season marks for hits (502), triples (20), RBI (298) and runs (337). Coach Rittman collected his 13th 40 win season and 16th straight winning season. With a career 681 victories, Rittman is sure to cross the 700 win plateau in 2013. Returning 14 letter winners and four talented freshmen, the Cardinal have 29 tilts against teams that made last season’s tourney, 24 who finished ranked in the top 25.
2012: 40-19, 11-13
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: John Rittman, 17th Season
Field Players:
Senior Jenna Rich earned NFCA All American honors in 2012. The second baseman hit a career high .368 on the season and led the Cardinal with 66 RBI, 11 home runs and a .665 slugging percentage, while ranking second in doubles (13) and triples (4). She led the Pac-12 with 66 RBI. Sophomores Hanna Winter and Leah White hit one and two at the top of the Stanford order in 2012. Winter, a third baseman, led the Pac-12 with 89 hits and was second, hitting .428. White, an outfielder, led the league with 12 sac bunts and scored 54 runs. Sophomore centerfielder Cassandra Roulund started 29 games in her rookie season with a .284 batting average.
Pitchers:
Senior Teagan Gerhart has won 20 games three seasons running. She has the third most wins and strikeouts in school history. In 2012 she ranked 9th nationally with 32 wins. She posted a 2.89 ERA in 261.2 innings, striking out 205. Sophomore Nyree White made 33 appearances in the circle, posting a 3.88 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 113.2 innings of work.
Who to Watch:
Coach Rittman adds an outstanding group of newcomers. Freshman Kelsey Stevens joins the Cardinal from Volcano Vista High in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 5’10” right handed pitcher was a 4-time All-State selection and led her team to state titles in 2011 and 2012. Kayla Bonstrom was the 2012 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year and ESPN High School All-American. She earned All-State honors twice and helped her school win three state championships. Jessica Plaza, a catcher from Edison High in Huntington Beach, California was a part of two of the So Cal Athletics Premier National Championship teams.
Final Projection:
With Gerhart back in the circle and the return of Rich, Winter and White on offense, Rittman’s club will be tough to score on and potent at the plate again. The addition of some decorated freshman and another year of experience for the rest of the team may not get the club to the top of the very demanding Pac-12, but they will certainly reach the NCAA Tournament for the 16th straight year.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Hanna Winter, 3B, 208
Hits: Hanna Winter, 3B, 89
Home Runs: Jenna Rich, 2B/P, 11
RBIs: Jenna Rich, 2B/P, 66
Runs: Leah White, OF, 54
Stolen Bases: Hanna Winter, 3B, 14
Wins: Teagan Gerhart, P, 32
Innings Pitched: Teagan Gerhart, P, 261.2
Strikeouts: Teagan Gerhart, P, 205
Saves: Teagan Gerhart, P, 2; Nyree White, P, 2
Madness 2013 NPF Draft Rankings:
#11 Jenna Rich
Madness 2013 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#13 Jessica Plaza
#50 Kayla Bonstrom
#65 Kelsey Stevens
See All Softball Top 44 Team Previews
