Inner Circle

FPN 2016 Preseason TOP 50 NCAA Softball Pitchers

Cheridan Hawkins

Fastpitch News (FPN) is unveiling our FPN 2016 Preseason TOP 50 NCAA Softball Pitchers. The ranking was derived from numerous statistics to formulate a total score. Strength of schedule was also taken into account for more grueling schedules. We will breakdown our top 10 for you and list the rest of the players. Note that these are based on statistics and are not based on our subjective opinions.

There is a wealth of pitching around the country this season. The top 10 alone combined for a mind numbing 2,547 strikeouts last season. A total of three underclassman made the top 10.

Cheridan Hawkins, Oregon – Senior

Hawkins was a 2015 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America first team selection. Last season she posted 30 wins with a 1.64 ERA and 282 strike outs over 200.1 innings. It seems like she has been in the circle for the Ducks for years, but she will be back again in 2016 to lead a very talented Oregon team.

Sara Groenewegen, Minnesota – Junior

Groenewegen stepped in last season as the Gophers Ace and had success. She was a NFCA Second Team All-American and was also name the Big Ten player of the Year. She won 31 games and had an amazing 371 strikeouts over 234.1 innings. That resulted in a 1.67 ERA. The Gophers have been knocking on the door to the WCWS the past two seasons. Groenewegen will play a key role in their ability to get there in 2016.

Alexis Osorio, Alabama – Sophomore

Osorio’s 1.74 ERA and 227 strikeouts helped her earn NFCA Second Team All-American honors and she was a finalist for NFCA Freshman of the Year. She also posted a solid record (22-9) for a freshman throwing in the best conference in the country. Looks like the Tide are in good hands.

Megan Betsa, Michigan – Junior

Betsa is another NFCA Second Team All-American selection and was also named the Big Ten pitcher of the year in 2015. On the season she posted a 31-5 record with 333 strikeouts and a 1.72 ERA. The Wolverines are considered a big threat to challenge for a national title and Betsa in one of the reasons.

Shelby Turnier, Central Florida – Senior

Turnier posted the lowest ERA (0.87) in the country and that was also good for a School record. She was named a NFCA First Team All-American for her efforts. She had a 25-8 record with 268 strikeouts over 208.1 innings.

Paige Parker, Oklahoma – Sophomore

Parker was named the 2015 NFCA Freshman of the Year behind her 28-7 record. She also posted a low 1.65 ERA with 224 strikeouts over 217 innings. She returns looking to step things up in 2016 which is not good news for the rest of the Big 12.

Kylee Hanson, Florida Atlantic – Junior

Hanson is coming off a strong sophomore campaign that saw her post an 18-5 record. She also had a 1.54 ERA with 129 strikeouts in just 157.1 innings pitched. Florida Atlantic has her for two more seasons and that should help them contend for the top spot in Conference USA.

Jessica Burroughs, Florida State – Junior

Burroughs may not have been the big name when it came to Florida State pitchers last season, but her results were great. She is coming off a 19-6 season with a 2.08 ERA and 219 strikeouts. Burroughs came on strong the second half of last season and was even named the ACC Tournament MVP.

Megan Good, James Madison – Sophomore

Good is coming off a season that saw here bring in a ton of awards including NFCA Second Team All-American honors, CAA Player and Pitcher of the Year and numerous other awards. All of that as a freshman to go along with a 29-3 record with a 1.05 and 199 strikeouts over 193.1 innings pitched. It will be interesting to see what she does over the next three years.

Lilly Fecho, Purdue – Senior

Fecho had a productive season 2015 for the Boilermakers winning 20 games and posting a 2.02 ERA with 295 strikeouts. She held opposing hitters to just a .198 batting Average and will be an anchor for Purdue in 2016.

RankNameSchoolClass
1Cheridan HawkinsOregonSr.
2Sara GroenewegenMinnesotaJr.
3Alexis OsorioAlabamaSo.
4Megan BetsaMichiganJr.
5Shelby TurnierUCFSr.
6Paige ParkerOklahomaSo.
7Kylee HansonFla. AtlanticJr.
8Jessica BurroughsFlorida St.Jr.
9Megan GoodJames MadisonSo.
10Lilly FechoPurdueSr.
11Chelsea WilkinsonGeorgiaSr.
12Aleshia OcasioFloridaSo.
13Devin BrownSouth Ala.So.
14Sydney LittlejohnAlabamaJr.
15Carley HooverLSUSo.
16Chelsea PonceUC RiversideSr.
17Nicole NewmanDrakeSo.
18Jailyn FordJames MadisonSr.
19Manda CashDaytonSo.
20Courtney MirabellaNorth Carolina St.Jr.
21Nickie BlueSouth CarolinaJr.
22Lexi ShubertUSC UpstateJr.
23Randi RuppTexas St.So.
24Heather StearnsBaylorSr.
25Rachel KnappCentral Mich.Jr.
26Jocelyn CaterSyracuseSr.
27Kalen McGillSouth Ala.So.
28Allie WalljasperLSUSo.
29Maggie TylerVirginia TechSr.
30Haley ChambersSIUESr.
31Erica NunnSouth Fla.Sr.
32Erica WrightTexasSo.
33Christina ClermontLong Beach St.Jr.
34Kristen WoodNorthwesternSr.
35Amber LogemannMiami (OH)Sr.
36Erin SeilerAkronSr.
37Zoe ConleyCSUNSo.
38Erin GabrielTennesseeSr.
39Christine CampbellLehighJr.
40Sierra HylandCal PolyJr.
41Rachel NaslandNotre DameJr.
42Cheyenne GandaraCharleston So.Jr.
43Allyson FreiBoston CollegeSo.
44Maryssa BeckerLouisvilleJr.
45Rainey GaffinTennesseeSr.
46Brittany GrayGeorgiaSo.
47Emily VincentMcNeese St.Sr.
48Kelly YoungLipscombSr.
49Kelly HeinzVirginia TechSr.
50Kate PoppeVillanovaSr.

To Top