Washington Huskies
Overall Rank: #14
Conference Rank: #5 Pac-12
Washington Team Page
The Huskies compiled a 39-19 (.672 winning percentage) record in 2012 and earned their 19th straight NCAA appearance and fourth in a row Super Regional appearance. They lost to California in the Super Regional and missed a trip to Oklahoma City for the WCWS. The Huskies lost four seniors but still have a veteran team returning for Head Coach Heather Tarr, who is beginning her ninth season at Washington. Washington begins their season February 7-9 in the Paradise Classic in Hawaii. The Huskies finished 14th in the final College Sports Madness Top 25 ranking after starting the season 32-1. The team had a great fall and are optimistic about the upcoming 2013 season.
2012 Record: 39-19, 7-16
2012 Postseason: NCAA Super Regional
Coach: Heather Tarr
Field Players:
Washington lost four seniors from the 2012 squad; Jenna Clifton, (.333), Kimi Pohlman, (.366), Taylor Smith (.238) and Nikia Williams (.327)), but have a veteran team returning, including one of the nation’s top double threats, junior Kaitlin Inglesby. Inglesby (P/DP) led the team with a .385 batting average and hit 10 homers and drove in 63 runs. She had a 19-11 record on the mound with an ERA of 2.24, striking out 169 batters in 197 innings. “Kaitlin was our most clutch performer at the plate,” said Washington Head Coach Heather Tarr. The Huskies started three freshmen in the infield last year, Courtney Gano, (.216, started 51 games and played in 56), Kimberlee Souza (.243, hit by pitch 18 times, one shy of school record) and Kyler Lahners (.273, 11 homers led team). They all have a year of experience that should benefit. Gano comes from a softball family with her mother, Rhonda Wheatley Gano, a former three-time All-American from Cal Poly Pomona, a member of the 1987 Pan American team and the fifth winningest pitcher in NCAA history. Outfielder Victoria Hayward returns after being perfect on the bases, stealing 21 bases in as many attempts. The team overall base stealing success rate was 83 in 90 attempts.
Pitchers:
The six-foot-one Inglesby will lead a staff that includes Bryana Walker (10-6, 2.36 ERA) and Kasey Stanchek (10-2, 2.83 ERA). Inglesby was named second team All-American in 2012 and there is no reason to think she won’t duplicate that achievement or improve on it in 2013. In two years she has compiled a 44-21 record on the mound. As a frosh, she batted .422.
Who to Watch:
Inglesby will be one of the nation’s most talent double threat players and will be the key to how Washington does in the 2013 season. She can pitch, hit and play first base when needed and is a very good player in the clutch.
Final Projection:
The Huskies started three freshmen in the infield last year and those players are a year older. This is a veteran team that should improve after starting the 2012 season 32-1. The Huskies play in the nation’s top softball conference and had a 7-16 record last year losing to top ranked California in the Super Regional. This team has a bright future, according to Tarr. “Reflecting on the 2012 season, she said, “This was a very good season for us. “ 2013 could be even better considering the team has only two seniors with five freshmen, five juniors, and four sophomores.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Victoria Hayward, OF, 166
Hits: Kaitlin Ingelsby, P/DP, 88
Home Runs: Kyler Lahners, IF, 11
RBIs: Kailtin Ingelsby, P/DP, 63
Runs: Victoria Hayward, OF, 49
Stolen Bases: Victoria Hayward, OF, 21
Wins: Kaitlin Ingelsby, P/DP, 19
Innings Pitched: Kaitlin Inglesby, P/DP, 197
Strikeouts: Kaitlin Inglesby, P/DP, 169
Saves: Kaitlin Inglesby, P/DP, 5
Madness 2013 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#6 Missy Taukeiaho
#17 Jennie McNeill
#81 Jocelyn Cater
See All Softball Top 44 Team Previews
