San Diego State Aztecs
Overall Rank: #27
Conference Rank: #1 MWC
San Diego State Team Page
The Aztecs won their third straight Mountain West title last year and their eighth overall, which is impressive since the league has only been around for 15 years. The team also qualified for a school-record seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament and eighth in nine seasons. San Diego State's season also included school records in batting average (.301), on-base percentage (.397), runs (301), hits (467), RBIs (270), walks (226) and times hit by pitch (30).
2014: 40-19, 16-8
2014 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Kathy Van Wyk
Field Players:
The Aztecs are going to have a different look this year, with three of their top four hitters gone from last year's squad, including Patrice Jackson, who was last year's power threat with 17 home runs. Last year's top hitter, Sydnee Cable, returns after hitting .356 with nine home runs and 32 RBI, tied for second most on the team. Kayla Jordan saw the most at-bats last season with 171 and she comes back after knocking out 50 hits, six doubles, three home runs and stealing 20 bases. Last year's second biggest power threat, Hayley Miles returns. She hit six home runs and a team-leading 10 doubles en route to 32 RBI. She also had a 2:1 walk-to-strike out ratio.
Pitchers:
The Aztecs had one of the better pitchers not only in the conference, but the nation, last season in Danielle O'Toole. Unfortunately, she and her 31-10 and 1.91 ERA transferred to Arizona. Two other pitchers, Andi Smith and Erica Romero, saw action in the circle last year, with Romero starting 14 games. Both of them, as well as UC Riverside transfer Ashley Ercolano, will be the pitchers trying to fill O'Toole's shoes.
Who to Watch:
Besides the pitchers, one to watch for is the return of Lorena Bauer, who redshirted last season. In three years, Bauer is already the school leader in home runs (41), RBI (133), extra base hits (79) and doubles (36). She was a First Team All-American after her junior season.
Final Projection:
The Aztecs will need to fill some big shoes, but if they can find a solution on the mound, they might be able to pull it off. Bauer's return will help lessen the impact of the loss of Jackson. The team did itself no favors with a challenging nonconference slate, but we'll know more about the squad early. In the team's first weekend, they face Purdue, Texas A&M and UCLA. The team also participates in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, where the Aztecs face a gauntlet of Oklahoma, LSU, Kentucky, Nebraska and Stanford. A home tournament sees matchups with Oregon and Florida, while other tournament games and non-conference contests include games against Michigan, Long Beach State, Arizona and Baylor.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Kayla Jordan, OF, 171
Hits: Sydnee Cable, 1B/OF, 52
Home Runs: Hayley Miles, UTL, 6
RBIs: Sydnee Cable, 1B/OF, 32; Hayley Miles, UTL, 32
Runs: Kayla Jordan, OF, 37
Stolen Bases: Kayla Jordan, OF, 20
Wins: Erica Romero, P, 6
Innings Pitched: Erica Romero, P, 86
Strikeouts: Erica Romero, P, 75
Complete Games: Erica Romero, P, 4
Madness 2015 Draft Rankings:
#18 Haley Miles
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