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.
| Rank | Name | School | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheridan Hawkins | Oregon | Sr. |
| 2 | Sara Groenewegen | Minnesota | Jr. |
| 3 | Alexis Osorio | Alabama | So. |
| 4 | Megan Betsa | Michigan | Jr. |
| 5 | Shelby Turnier | UCF | Sr. |
| 6 | Paige Parker | Oklahoma | So. |
| 7 | Kylee Hanson | Fla. Atlantic | Jr. |
| 8 | Jessica Burroughs | Florida St. | Jr. |
| 9 | Megan Good | James Madison | So. |
| 10 | Lilly Fecho | Purdue | Sr. |
| 11 | Chelsea Wilkinson | Georgia | Sr. |
| 12 | Aleshia Ocasio | Florida | So. |
| 13 | Devin Brown | South Ala. | So. |
| 14 | Sydney Littlejohn | Alabama | Jr. |
| 15 | Carley Hoover | LSU | So. |
| 16 | Chelsea Ponce | UC Riverside | Sr. |
| 17 | Nicole Newman | Drake | So. |
| 18 | Jailyn Ford | James Madison | Sr. |
| 19 | Manda Cash | Dayton | So. |
| 20 | Courtney Mirabella | North Carolina St. | Jr. |
| 21 | Nickie Blue | South Carolina | Jr. |
| 22 | Lexi Shubert | USC Upstate | Jr. |
| 23 | Randi Rupp | Texas St. | So. |
| 24 | Heather Stearns | Baylor | Sr. |
| 25 | Rachel Knapp | Central Mich. | Jr. |
| 26 | Jocelyn Cater | Syracuse | Sr. |
| 27 | Kalen McGill | South Ala. | So. |
| 28 | Allie Walljasper | LSU | So. |
| 29 | Maggie Tyler | Virginia Tech | Sr. |
| 30 | Haley Chambers | SIUE | Sr. |
| 31 | Erica Nunn | South Fla. | Sr. |
| 32 | Erica Wright | Texas | So. |
| 33 | Christina Clermont | Long Beach St. | Jr. |
| 34 | Kristen Wood | Northwestern | Sr. |
| 35 | Amber Logemann | Miami (OH) | Sr. |
| 36 | Erin Seiler | Akron | Sr. |
| 37 | Zoe Conley | CSUN | So. |
| 38 | Erin Gabriel | Tennessee | Sr. |
| 39 | Christine Campbell | Lehigh | Jr. |
| 40 | Sierra Hyland | Cal Poly | Jr. |
| 41 | Rachel Nasland | Notre Dame | Jr. |
| 42 | Cheyenne Gandara | Charleston So. | Jr. |
| 43 | Allyson Frei | Boston College | So. |
| 44 | Maryssa Becker | Louisville | Jr. |
| 45 | Rainey Gaffin | Tennessee | Sr. |
| 46 | Brittany Gray | Georgia | So. |
| 47 | Emily Vincent | McNeese St. | Sr. |
| 48 | Kelly Young | Lipscomb | Sr. |
| 49 | Kelly Heinz | Virginia Tech | Sr. |
| 50 | Kate Poppe | Villanova | Sr. |
