STANFORD, Calif. – Stanford softball added depth to its lineup for the 2017 season Wednesday, signing six incoming student-athletes from three states to National Letters of Intent.
The class is ranked 14th in the nation by FloSoftball and includes Nicole Bauer, Teaghan Cowles, Montana Dixon, Alyssa Horeczko, Kristina Inouye and Kiana Pancino. The group includes three pitchers and four of the six players have spent time in the infield, outfield or at catcher.
"I'm incredibly excited for this class," said head coach Rachel Hanson. "They are a great representation of the philosophy of Stanford softball – each of them has a deep commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives. I have no doubt that they'll come in and make an immediate impact on and off the field."
"On the field, this class brings a high level of athleticism, and a competitor's mentality. They've competed in championship games, high pressure situations, and they have what it takes to step up in those moments. We've added some crucial pieces in the circle and behind the plate, elite speed, and offensive power."
The sextet joins a Stanford team that showcased its resiliency as a team in 2015, battling through injuries and adversity throughout the year.
Despite the challenges, the Cardinal produced a number of highlight moments, defeating five NCAA Tournament teams, recording single-season top 10 numbers in multiple offensive categories and saw one of the best single-season individual performances in program history by Kayla Bonstrom.
The Cardinal was strong offensively, finishing the season in the top-10 in program history in walks (T-6th, 198), home runs (8th, 39), triples (8th, 11), slugging percentage (9th, .422) and RBI (10th, 259).
| Nicole Bauer • P • R/R • Sebewaing, MI • Unionville-Sebewaing HS |
| • 2015 MHSAA Division IV Softball State Champion |
| • Two-year All-State softball first-team pitcher |
| • Part of the Flo-Softball Top 100 Players of 2016 |
| • Member of the National Honor Society |
| • Four-year Honor Roll student |
| |
| Teaghan Cowles • C/3B/UTL • R/R • Vancouver, WA • Columbia River HS |
| • 2015 MaxPreps Junior All-America Softball First Team |
| • 2015 Triple Crown National Champions with the Northwest Bullets (18U Gold) |
| • 2014 Regional Top-10 Outstanding Female Athlete and 2014-15 All-Region |
| • First-place finish in the 2015 Microbiology Division at the International Science and Engineering Fair |
| • Three-time scholar athlete in varsity softball and basketball (2013-15) |
| |
| Montana Dixon • C/3B • R/R • Lakewood, CA • Lakewood HS |
| • Inducted into the Lakewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 |
| • Set the Lakewood High School home run record in 2014 |
| • Three-time first-team All-State selection (2013-15) |
| • Merit Scholar Academic Excellence Award in history and English |
| • All-CIF Academic Team |
| |
| Alyssa Horeczko • P/SS/OF • L/R • Huntington Beach, CA • Huntington Beach HS |
| • Two-time Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year (2014-15) |
| • Ranked in top one percent of in the nation by OnDeck in 2013 and 2014 |
| • Holds high school record in stolen bases with 30 |
| • Four-time Sunset League Scholar-Athlete First Team selection |
| • National Honor Society member since 2009 |
| |
| Kristina Inouye • IF/OF • R/R • Huntington Beach, CA • Huntington Beach HS |
| • First-team selection and Rookie of the Year in the Sunset League in 2013 |
| • 2015 Cal-Hi Sports California All-State Underclassmen First Team |
| • First team All-CIF (2015) and All-Orange County (2014) |
|
• Top-20 academically in high school's Class of 2016 (over 700 students)
|
|
• Weighted cumulative GPA of 4.7
|
| |
| Kiana Pancino • P • R/R • Huntington Beach, CA • Edison HS |
| • Ranked 14th by OC Sidelines Top Orange County Players in 2014 |
| • 2014 Sunset All-League Second Team |
| • 2014 Team Defensive Most Valuable Player |
|
• Three-time Scholar-Athlete (2013-15)
|
|
• Two-time Sunset League All-Academic selection (2014-15)
|
| |
