NCAAOct 15, 2015 by Sarah Hoffman
Big 12 Season Preview: Baylor University
Big 12 Season Preview: Baylor University
In case you've missed our NCAA season previews so far this year, we've already broken down the top teams in the SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12. This week we're m
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In case you've missed our NCAA season previews so far this year, we've already broken down the top teams in the SEC, Big Ten, and Pac-12. This week we're moving the Big 12 and letting you know what to expect from the best teams in the conference. Today we're taking a look at the Baylor Bears' softball program.
Despite not having the storied past of some softball programs, Baylor Softball has become something of a contender the last decade due largely in part to head coach Glenn Moore. Before Moore’s arrival at Baylor in 2001, the Bears hadn’t made a postseason appearance since 1981. Moore needed just three years to put the Bears on the map and take them to their first ever regional. Since 2004, Baylor has made 10 regional appearances, five super regionals, and three Women’s College World Series appearances, with the most recent being in 2014.
The Baylor Bears have established themselves as a Big 12 powerhouse since head coach Glenn Moore's arrival in 2001.
The Bears will have to continue their recent dominance without seniors Kaitlyn Thumann and Jordan Strickland. Thumann started 57 of Baylor’s games last season in the outfield, leading the team in doubles and posting the fourth highest batting average on the team (.343). Strickland’s loss will leave a hole in the infield as she started all but 4 games last season at shortstop.
Good news for the Bears is that they return All-American first baseman Shelby Friudenberg. As a freshman she hit .357, good for second on the team. The right-handed power hitter led the team in homeruns with 18 — 10 more than any other player on the team — and runs batted in with 46.
As a freshman, Shelby Friudenberg led the Baylor offense with home runs and RBIs
Another offensive threat returning for the Bears is second baseman Ari Hawkins. As a sophomore last season, Hawkins was the only player to start all 58 games and led the team in batting average (.396) and hits (63). Expect speedster Lindsey Cargill to also power the Baylor offense. The sophomore led the team with 29 steals last season, getting caught only once, and posting the third-best batting average (.355).
Pitching should be solid for the Bears as they return ace Heather Sterns. The senior right-handed hurler posted a 2.57 ERA and led the Baylor staff with 21 wins on the season. Sophomore Kendall Potts also returns having an almost identical ERA to Sterns (2.59) and posting eight wins in 11 appearances for the Bears last season.
Baylor brings in four rookies for the 2016 season. Leading Baylor’s incoming class is pitcher and FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 26 player Gia Rodoni. A product of the CA Grapettes club program, Rodoni will compliment Sterns well in the circle and add depth the the Bears pitching staff.
Freshman pitcher Gia Rodoni of the CA Grapettes will add to an already tough Baylor pitching staff
Baylor adds another FloSoftball Hot 100 player, pitcher/first baseman Abby Langkamp. Ranked number 65 on the Hot 100, Langkamp is one of three players from the Impact Gold program. The Bears also add outfielder Kyla Walker and Rhonda Jarvis from the Impact Gold.
Despite not having the storied past of some softball programs, Baylor Softball has become something of a contender the last decade due largely in part to head coach Glenn Moore. Before Moore’s arrival at Baylor in 2001, the Bears hadn’t made a postseason appearance since 1981. Moore needed just three years to put the Bears on the map and take them to their first ever regional. Since 2004, Baylor has made 10 regional appearances, five super regionals, and three Women’s College World Series appearances, with the most recent being in 2014.
The Baylor Bears have established themselves as a Big 12 powerhouse since head coach Glenn Moore's arrival in 2001.
The Bears will have to continue their recent dominance without seniors Kaitlyn Thumann and Jordan Strickland. Thumann started 57 of Baylor’s games last season in the outfield, leading the team in doubles and posting the fourth highest batting average on the team (.343). Strickland’s loss will leave a hole in the infield as she started all but 4 games last season at shortstop.
Good news for the Bears is that they return All-American first baseman Shelby Friudenberg. As a freshman she hit .357, good for second on the team. The right-handed power hitter led the team in homeruns with 18 — 10 more than any other player on the team — and runs batted in with 46.
As a freshman, Shelby Friudenberg led the Baylor offense with home runs and RBIs
Another offensive threat returning for the Bears is second baseman Ari Hawkins. As a sophomore last season, Hawkins was the only player to start all 58 games and led the team in batting average (.396) and hits (63). Expect speedster Lindsey Cargill to also power the Baylor offense. The sophomore led the team with 29 steals last season, getting caught only once, and posting the third-best batting average (.355).
Pitching should be solid for the Bears as they return ace Heather Sterns. The senior right-handed hurler posted a 2.57 ERA and led the Baylor staff with 21 wins on the season. Sophomore Kendall Potts also returns having an almost identical ERA to Sterns (2.59) and posting eight wins in 11 appearances for the Bears last season.
Baylor brings in four rookies for the 2016 season. Leading Baylor’s incoming class is pitcher and FloSoftball Hot 100 No. 26 player Gia Rodoni. A product of the CA Grapettes club program, Rodoni will compliment Sterns well in the circle and add depth the the Bears pitching staff.
Freshman pitcher Gia Rodoni of the CA Grapettes will add to an already tough Baylor pitching staff
Baylor adds another FloSoftball Hot 100 player, pitcher/first baseman Abby Langkamp. Ranked number 65 on the Hot 100, Langkamp is one of three players from the Impact Gold program. The Bears also add outfielder Kyla Walker and Rhonda Jarvis from the Impact Gold.