Courtesy of Western Kentucky Athletics
BOWLING GREEN, Ky.— The WKU softball team brought in five transfers in the offseason, including the addition of four seniors, to add experience to the 2015 roster, as the Lady Toppers head into their first year in Conference USA.
Kramer is a NFCA All-Region Second-Team and three-time All-Summit League First-Team honoree from West Burlington, Iowa. Earning Pitcher of the Year in 2014, Kramer was one of the top pitchers in the nation after ranking third in strikeouts (332), strikeouts per seven innings (11.5) and shutouts (13). The senior holds a career win-loss record of 58-25, as she guided IPFW to the league title and its first-ever appearance at a NCAA Regional in 2013 with a 22-10 mark in the circle. Last season, Kramer struck out 12 batters on the way to a win at No. 15 Texas.
“I have coached Miranda for two seasons, so I know her very well,” Tudor said. “She is a left-handed pitcher who will build off her successes of previous years. She is a kid who has gotten better every single year, and we expect her to be dominate in the circle.”
A regular player for the Canadian National Team, Franklin comes to The Hill after ranking eighth in the nation last season with a .459 batting average. A three-time All-Summit League First-Team selection, the outfielder was named to the NFCA All-Region Third Team after posting a school-record 84 hits in 2014. Franklin also earned the distinction of being a Capital One Academic First-Team All-District member.
“Larissa probably has the most expereience of any player, as she has had the chance to play internationally,” Tudor said. “She is a tremendous athlete who is fast, has a great arm, hits from the left side and contributes speed to the team. She will get things done for us.”
A First-Team All-Summit League catcher, Pugh provides depth at the plate after ranking 24th in the country last season with 60 RBI. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Pugh totaled 36 multi-RBI games in her career, including 17 in 2014. Pugh recorded 53 hits in her last season at IPFW, including a team-best 12 home runs.
“Dani will provide a lot of power to the lineup,” Tudor said. “She is a right-handed hitter, and I coached her for two seasons and saw her get better every year. She will bring a big presence behind the plate as well as leadership on and off the field.”
Hanson joins the Lady Toppers after playing and starting every game of her career at IPFW, as she anchored the infield at second base. The Elk River, Minn., native has 103 hits in her career while she earned Summit League Player of the Week honors in 2014 after posting eight hits, six runs and three RBI throughout the season’s opening weekend. Hanson is solid in the field as well, committing just single-digit errors each season, as she has 22 in her career.
“I got to coach Kayti for two seasons at IPFW, and I know her very well,” Tudor said. “She is probably one of the hardest workers on the team. She will fill the void of losing a great second baseman in Oliva Watkins while adding speed and a lefty bat to the lineup. Plus she will be one of the most vocal leaders on the team.”
Price comes to WKU with two years of eligibility after playing two years at John A. Logan College, as she posted a .313 batting average her first year and .275 last season. The outfielder collected 36 hits both seasons, including six doubles and three triples in 2013. Last season, the Shepherdsville, Ky., product notched 40 walks, ranking fifth in overall stats.
“Taylor Price is a very fast kid and a utility player that we see playing the outfield,” Tudor said. “She provides speed to the roster as well as being a gap hitter.”
The Lady Toppers open their fall schedule this weekend when they take on Centre at 1 p.m. CT and Campbellsville at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the WKU Softball Complex.
