STANFORD, Calif. - For the first time in program history, the Card has been picked to win the Pac-12 in the conference's preseason coaches poll. Sophomores NiJaree Canady, Taryn Kern and River Mahler all earned spots on the All-Pac-12 Team as well. Stanford received seven first-place votes, after last season's 47-15 season that culminated in a trip to the Women's College World Series.
Canady is coming off of a dominant freshman season, earning TUCCI/NFCA, D1 Softball and Softball America Freshman of the Year Honors. The All-Pac-12 First Team and WCWS All-Tournament Team selection led the nation in ERA (0.57) and strikeouts per seven innings (11.3) while sitting second in hits allowed per seven innings (3.32). The Topeka, Kansas product went 17-3 in 33 appearances, throwing two no-hitters in 24 starts. After the season, Canady made her debut with the world-ranked No. 1 U.S. Women's National Team, starting and tossing 6.1 innings in a 12-11 win over Japan on August 4.
Kern arrives on the Farm after transferring from Indiana. In her freshman year, the infielder was named Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year, while finishing as one of three finalists for the TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year award. The Bay Area native started all 62 games for the Hoosiers, breaking single-season program records for homers (23), RBI (65) and runs scored (68). Kern led the team in batting average (.404), on base percentage (.578) and slugging percentage (.942).
Mahler was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team after last season, after finishing second on the team with a .350 batting average in her first year on The Farm. Mahler led the team in walks, and was the only conference player to earn All-Pac-12, All-Defensive Tema and All-Freshman Team honors after the 2023 season. Mahler's 62 hits were good for the second-most on the team, and ninth in the Pac-12.
Stanford opens up the 2024 season next week, at the SDSU Season Kickoff. The Card takes on the hosting No. 24 San Diego State Azecs on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
