Feb. 4, 2013

STANFORD, Calif. - The 2013 Pac-12 softball preseason coaches' poll has been released, with the Cardinal picked to finish in sixth place by league's coaches.

The Cardinal ended 2012 with a 40-19 record and made its 15th consecutive postseason appearance. Stanford posted its 13th 40-win season under head coach John Rittman and had seven players named to All-Pac-12 teams.

The team finished sixth in the competitive Pac-12 Conference and ended the year with No. 20/21 national rankings in the two polls. Three conference teams return from Women's College World Series appearances, while six teams are coming off trips to NCAA Super Regionals.

Seven of the nine Pac-12 teams were ranked in both of the nation's two major softball polls to start the 2013 season. Stanford is ranked No. 20 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll and No. 21 by the NFCA.

Stanford returns 13 letter winners from last year's squad, including 2012 All-American Jenna Rich. Also returning in 2013 are seniors Sarah Hassman and Teagan Gerhart, junior Corey Hanewich and sophomores Cassandra Roulund, Leah White, Nyree White and Hanna Winter, who have all received all-conference accolades during their careers.

Stanford opens the season on Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinal will face Bradley at 3 p.m. PT.

2013 Pac-12 Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. California (7) - 62 points
2. Arizona State (1) - 56 points
3. Oregon - 52 points
4. Washington - 41 points
5. Arizona - 32 points
6. Stanford - 29 points
7. UCLA - 28 points
8. Oregon State - 16 points
9. Utah - 9 points