Photo by: Joshua R. Gateley
2022 Position Previews: Infield
February 05, 2022 | Softball
SEATTLE, Wash. -- While Husky fans may think the irreplaceable Sis Bates and Taryn Atlee are too big of holes to fill, the Washington infield is simply reloading rather than rebuilding.
The versatility of Baylee Klingler will be paramount as she can play several positions in the infield. Klingler, a Second Team All-American, will be the centerpiece of the Husky offense, as she returns for her third season as a Husky. With a batting average of .416 and 53 RBI's, Klingler will look to build on those already impressive stats in 2022.
The always reliable, SilentRain Espinoza will again be a factor at the hot corner, a defensive wizard, not making one single error in all of 2021. With a .314 batting average and .759 OPS, Espinoza will come into this season ready to go.
The highly touted freshmen class of Kinsey Fielder, Rylee Holtorf, Angie Yellen and Olivia Johnson will no doubt make their impact felt from the get-go.
Fiedler, Holtorf and Johnson spent the winter with the U-18 U.S. Women's National Team, winning the gold medal at the Junior Pan American Games in Barranquilla, Colombia. They then followed it up with another title at the WBSC U-18 World Cup in Lima, Peru.
You can see Kelley Lynch, when not in the circle, at first base. A similar story for Brooke Nelson who, along with pitching, will relieve duties on first base as a solid addition to the infield lineup.
Megan Vandegrift provides a spark-plug off the bench and is a versatile utility player that can fill in when needed. With a .429 batting average and an on-base percentage of .500, Vandergrift has the experience and talent to be a stand-out this season.
Sophomore Jen Cummings will assuming catching duties, but her versatility will put her in the infield at times as well. Cummings comes out of the 2021 season with a 1.000 fielding percentage.
The infield is set for a strong debut in 2022, and will be sure to not only play lock-down defense, but also help capitalize in the batting lineup.
Follow the Huskies on social media @uwsoftball.
The versatility of Baylee Klingler will be paramount as she can play several positions in the infield. Klingler, a Second Team All-American, will be the centerpiece of the Husky offense, as she returns for her third season as a Husky. With a batting average of .416 and 53 RBI's, Klingler will look to build on those already impressive stats in 2022.
The always reliable, SilentRain Espinoza will again be a factor at the hot corner, a defensive wizard, not making one single error in all of 2021. With a .314 batting average and .759 OPS, Espinoza will come into this season ready to go.
The highly touted freshmen class of Kinsey Fielder, Rylee Holtorf, Angie Yellen and Olivia Johnson will no doubt make their impact felt from the get-go.
Fiedler, Holtorf and Johnson spent the winter with the U-18 U.S. Women's National Team, winning the gold medal at the Junior Pan American Games in Barranquilla, Colombia. They then followed it up with another title at the WBSC U-18 World Cup in Lima, Peru.
You can see Kelley Lynch, when not in the circle, at first base. A similar story for Brooke Nelson who, along with pitching, will relieve duties on first base as a solid addition to the infield lineup.
Megan Vandegrift provides a spark-plug off the bench and is a versatile utility player that can fill in when needed. With a .429 batting average and an on-base percentage of .500, Vandergrift has the experience and talent to be a stand-out this season.
Sophomore Jen Cummings will assuming catching duties, but her versatility will put her in the infield at times as well. Cummings comes out of the 2021 season with a 1.000 fielding percentage.
The infield is set for a strong debut in 2022, and will be sure to not only play lock-down defense, but also help capitalize in the batting lineup.
Follow the Huskies on social media @uwsoftball.
Players Mentioned
INF
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INF
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INF
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C/1B
/ Softball
INF
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P/1B
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P/1B
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INF
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3B
/ SoftballExtra bases for 42 and that's double #10 of the year 🤩
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