Seattle Regional: Preview

Husky Stadium

Teams: Washington, Auburn, BYU, Portland State
Location: Husky Stadium (Seattle, WA)

Players to watch:
Kaitlin Inglesby, Washington
Jenn Salling, Washington
Morgan Estell, Auburn
Jessica Fitu, BYU
Jenna Krogh, Portland State

Interesting storyline: How will the post-Danielle Lawrie Huskies fare in the postseason?

Portland State is most likely the main reason why Washington is even hosting this regional. The Vikings are a dangerous team and the Huskies should not take this squad lightly. Portland State is a solid fundamental softball and they have already beaten BYU this year. If any four seed is going to win a regional this year, it might be Portland State. The Vikings feature two solid pitchers in the circle with Nichole Latham and Anna Bertant. They have split action this season and the same should hold true in regional action. If these two pitchers can limit the runs that opposing offenses score, Portland State's offense will have a chance to propel this team to some victories. The Vikings hit .311 as a team, but they only have 33 HR and 30 steals. This shows that Portland State is just a pure hitting team. Jenna Krogh and Lacey Holm lead the way, hitting .405 and .352 respectively. The Vikings are not up against any unbeatable teams in this regional and if they can leave it all on the field who knows what will happen.

Paige Affleck

BYU knows how to hit the ball, but with some losses to graduation and new bat testing the Cougars have seen their power numbers drop in 2011. BYU has six players hitting above .300, including 3 players with double digit HR totals. Jessica Fitu leads the power charge, hitting .382 with 12 HR and 64 RBI and the Cougars are hoping that she can lead them back to Supers this year. BYU also has a whole slew of table setters this year and they have done a good job of both getting on base and scoring. JC Clayton, Jessica Dugas, and Tiffany Messerschmidt will all try to use their speed to get on base before Fitu and the big bats drive them in. In the circle, Paige Affleck is the Cougars ace, seeing the lion's share of work in 2011, going 24-11 with a 1.97 ERA and 207 SO in 217 innings. BYU also has two other pitchers that they can turn to in Tori Almond and Hannah Howell, but it will be hard to get Affleck out of the circle, in this, her senior season. BYU won its first regional last year and now they are hungry for more, but this may not be the draw to do it in.


Auburn stunned Florida at the SEC Tournament and the Tigers come into this regional with the confidence that they can play with anyone. Auburn has always had good pitching, but this year they have seen the resurgence of its bats. Freshman Morgan Estell is hitting .378 with 6 HR and 30 RBI, while leading the Tigers offense. Auburn plays an aggressive style of softball and the Tigers love to run around the bases on extra base hits. Kelsey Cartwright and Lauren Guzman are two other Auburn players that opposing pitchers must be careful pitching to. In the circle, the Tigers have three solid pitchers that they can turn to, including two left handed pitchers in Jenee Loree and Angel Bunner. Loree and Bunner are very valuable with so many left handed hitters in softball lineups today. Auburn also can turn to right handed pitcher Lauren Schmalz, as she can get it done as well. The Tigers have the confidence right now, but it will be tough to knock off the Huskies on their home field.

Kaitlin Inglesby

Washington came into 2011, having to replace its best player in school history in Danielle Lawrie and people around the country were expecting a down year out of the Huskies, but they have proven the doubters wrong and they are hoping to go on another postseason run to Oklahoma City. Kaitlin Inglesby will be the key for the Huskies in the circle and also at the plate. Inglesby has been the Huskies most consistent option in the circle and she gives them an ace that can go out and keep them in any game. Inglesby is not a prolific strikeout pitcher like Lawrie, but she an imposing presence in the circle. Inglesby is also second on the Huskies in batting average at .398 and she has also slugged 11 HR and 33 RBI. At the plate, Washington is hitting .327 and they have racked up 66 HR. The Huskies are led by three veterans at the plate in Jenn Salling, Niki Williams, and Kimi Pohlman. Pohlman is Washington's table setter and she does a great job for them, as she is hitting .443 with 74 hits, 3 HR, 28 RBI with 22 steals. Williams and Salling swing more powerful bats with 13 and 6 HR respectively and 50 and 43 RBI. Williams and Salling are the leaders of this Washington squad and Coach Heather Tarr is going to count on them to be clutch in this regional.

Winner: Washington