Washington Huskies
Overall Rank: #18
Conference Rank: #5 Pac 12
Washington Team Page
The Huskies are coming off of their third trip to the Women's College World Series in the past five years. Last year's team bowed out after losing to eventual champion Oklahoma. The team is full of veterans as 13 of the returning players are upperclassmen, including eight seniors.
2013: 45-17, 16-8
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Heather Tarr
Field Players:
Kaitlin Inglesby was the team's top power hitter last year, having hit 12 home runs and knocking in 62 runs. Both of those totals were team-highs. Victoria Hayward also had a solid season, leading the team in average at .372 and hit six doubles and six triples. She also stole 22 bases last season. Hooch Fagaly also has some power on this Huskie squad, as she belted ten home runs and drove in 46 in 2013. Kylee Lahners is the third Washington player who hit double digit home runs last season when, like Fagaly, she hit ten. The junior drove in 44.
Pitchers:
Washington has the luxury of bringing back two pitchers, Inglesby and Bryana Walker, who would both be aces on just about any other team. Inglesby went 23-9 last season in 41 appearances (20 starts) and had a team-best 1.95 ERA, while striking out 141 batters. Walker put up a 20-7 record in 38 appearances, 35 of which were starts. She struck out 205 in her 182 innings of work.
Who to Watch:
Inglesby and Walker. Can Inglesby continue hitting as well as she pitches? Her power numbers have gotten better every year but will the trend continue? The Huskies have a solid squad, but will be aided by how well their pitchers perform again this year.
Final Projection:
Washington has a lot of experience and two aces. For most teams that brings success. And there must be a reason the Huskies have made the WCWS so often. As is the usual, the squad isn't afraid to play tough non-conference games and starts the season off with Baylor, San Diego and Arkansas in about a 28 hour window. Other tough non-conference games include matchups with Michigan State, LSU, Texas, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Victoria Hayward, OF, 196
Hits: Victoria Hayward, OF, Hayward 73
Home Runs: Kaitlin Inglesby, P, 12
RBIs: Kaitlin Inglesby, P, 62
Runs: Victoria Hayward, OF, 57
Stolen Bases: Victoria Hayward, OF, 22
Wins: Kaitlin Inglesby, P, 23
Innings Pitched: Kaitlin Inglesby, P, 187
Strikeouts: Bryana Walker, P, 205
Saves: Kaitlin Inglesby, P, 2
Madness 2014 NPF Draft Rankings:
#12 Kaitlin Inglesby
#18 Hooch Fagaly
Madness 2014 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#3 Ali Aguilar
See All Softball Top 44 Previews
