On Tuesday, we posted the announcement that outstanding infielder Taryn Kern was transferring from the University of Indiana to Stanford University after she had gone into the transfer portal the first week of June (see our article published June 5, 2023).
As noted this week when it went public after her switch to Stanford, Kern had a tremendous freshman campaign in 2023 as she batted .404 with 23 home runs, 13 doubles, 68 RBIs, 68 runs scored and an OPS of 1.520 to help her earn Big Ten Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards along with being named a Second Team All-American.
Ironically, on June 1 of this year, Taryn was one of two runner-up finalists for the TUCCI/NFCA Div. I Freshman of the Year award which was ultimately given to current Stanford Cardinal Nijaree Canady.
Back in their club playing days, both Cardinal players made the Extra Inning Softball’s Extra Elite 100 rankings (Canady was No. 11); here’s what we had to say about Tarynall the way back on March 1, 2018, when she was honored to be in the 2022 Extra Elite 100 at that time:
67—Taryn Kern, SS, California Suncats (uncommitted)
Taryn is a lefty power-hitting shortstop who can drive the ball to all fields and is a top defensive specialist with a great glove and range. She’s been a standout at her age division since age 8 when she was already dominating the San Jose area softball scene. The right-hander played with the San Jose Strikkers organization at the 14U level before joining the Suncats and since joining her current team has been getting numerous looks from schools all over the West Coast and as far back East as Penn. Taryn already has three D1 offers extended to her and another talented infielder on the team in Elon Butler, the Suncats will go deep in many tournaments and Taryn’s stock is sure to rise as she gets seen more and more this summer.
On April 5 of 2018, Extra Inning Softball listed Taryn’s team—the Suncats—as our #17 rated team in the Elite 50 14U Club Rankings… and here’s what we said at that time:
T-17—CA Suncats – Jimenez
The Suncats are a new team—following in the footsteps of its fore-runners, the Arizona Suncats—and Head Coach/Director James Jimenez admits that when the team was first formed in September it had a rocky start, but after the rough beginning the Suncats went 23-3 in the fall and been on a roll ever since. The key has been stellar pitching including powerhouse 2021 hurler Isabella Calvo, who is an ace that will keep the team in every game, and a pair of 2022’s in Jaiden Ralston, who is throwing in the low 60’s, and Payton Schemmer, who gives depth and versatility in the circle. The offense is sparked by standout 2022 shortstop Elon Butler who has committed to Cal and is ranked #21 in the Elite 100. Butler is a power hitter with quick hands and can hit to all fields. Another standout infielder is lefty Taryn Kern, who is still on the market and flying under the radar as one of the top uncommitted talents on the West Coast. She’s a lefty power hitter who’s a defensive standout with her excellent glove-work and range. The Suncats are solid with a strong group of 2022’s including 2B Angelic Diaz, 1B Kyndal Todd and P Celeste Meza, who give the NorCal team the depth to go deep into tournaments wherever they compete.
Jumping to last year (Feb. 10, 2022), Taryn had switched cub teams to the California-based West Bay Warriors and was committed to Indiana by that time. Here’s what was said about the athlete and her team, which was honored as the #20 in the Extra Elite Eighty 18U Club Rankings:
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Warrior Academy-McDonald
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Head Coach: Ray McDonald
Twitter: @warrioracademy_
Outlook: Ray McDonald’s West Bay Warriors, which won the Alliance 16U national title last summer, and the CA Suncats combined to form Warrior Academy. McDonald’s 18U Warriors Academy has played a tough schedule and will try to qualify for AFCS 2 in May. “This is their first year playing together as a new team,” McDonald said, “so being able to create chemistry and trust with each other in a short period.” Warrior Academy has a good mix of different kinds of pitching and Olivia DiNardo is an elite leader behind the plate, which keeps all the pitchers on track. Warrior Academy has high velocity from Kelly Zybura paired with Sam Rocha, who has elite change-ups. They have a lot of movement plus velocity with Jaiden Ralston and then a little bit slower and more spin from Rose Malen to offset the other three. All of the pitchers have had success at a very high level. Megan Grant, Olivia DiNardo and Taryn Kern are three elite hitters that will headline the power in the lineup. Warrior Academy has many players that can play an elite infield and outfield. DiNardo, behind the plate, holds everyone on the field to a very high standard.
Last Summer, Taryn was hitting home runs at the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series in Indianapolis and obviously didn’t miss a beat with all of her accomplishments and honors for the Hoosiers in 2023.
Now she heads back to the West Coast and adds to a rising Stanford squad that has to feel optimistic moving into 2024 action after Head Coach Jennifer Allister was named as the Extra Inning Softball National Head Coach of the Year and Tori Nyberg was tabbed as the Extra Inning Softball College Assistant Coach of the Year all within the last week.
It’s a good time to be a Stanford softball fan… at least this week with all of the good news that’s come the way of the Northern California university!
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
