Stanford lands Indiana slugger and Softball All-American Taryn Kern
Stanford's softball team is fresh off their best season since 2004, as not only did they win 47 games but they also made it to the Women's College World Series for the first time since then as well.
While the team dominated in the circle thanks to their two-headed monster of NiJaree Canady and Alana Vawter, it was their inability to put runs on the board that ultimately ended their season. Despite winning two of their four games in Oklahoma City, it was apparent that it was difficult to manufacture runs for the Cardinal.
Something that will no longer be an issue as they went into the transfer portal and were able to bring in Indiana transfer Taryn Kern. She was named the 2023 Big Ten Player of the Year, 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-American by D1Softball.com. On top of these honors, she led the Big Ten in eight categories, as she posted a .930 slugging percentage, .575 on-base percentage, 1.505 OPS, recorded 45 walks, was hit by 23 pitches, scored 68 runs, knocked in 68 RBIs, and smacked 23 home runs.
The homers being the state that stands out the most as Stanford as a team recorded 26 combined, while Kern alone finished second overall in home runs, third in RBI's and fourth overall in slugging percentage. In adding the San Jose native, the Cardinal are getting a major boost in power and offense in their lineup which could be the difference between being sent home in OKC or winning it all. She's arguably the most important addition of the offseason for any Stanford sport.