Of note: Transfer from Mercer University … 2015 Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year and a first-team All-Southern Conference selection
At Mercer:
2015: Was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year … All-Southern Conference first team selection … landed on the Southern Conference All-Tournament team … earned NFCA Southern Region third team honors … was featured on ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 plays as the No. 3 play for pitching a no hitter in the Southern Conference Championship Tournament vs. Furman … two-time Southern Conference Pitcher of the Month and three-time Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week … pitched 30 complete games and compiled a 26-10 record … ended the season with a 2.73 ERA in 233 innings pitched … tallied 221 strikeouts and only allowed 47 walks
2014: Named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman team and the Atlantic Sun All-Tournament team … posted a 15-6 record with a 2.21 ERA in 158.2 innings pitched … only allowed 33 walks while striking out 101 batters
High School: Four-time first-team All-Fox Valley Conference honoree … named the NW Herald Softball Player of the Year as a senior and was named first-team NW Herald All-Area … helped lead her team to two regional championship wins and two conference championship wins … holds her high school record for career strikeouts (957) … ended senior season with a 0.99 ERA, .378 batting average, .676 slugging percentage and a 21-4 record … the two-time team MVP pitched two perfect games in her high school career and knocked out five home runs in her senior season alone … named the Offensive MVP as a freshman and sophomore and was also tabbed as the Defensive MVP as a sophomore ... high school coach was Mike Buck … played for the Illinois Chill Edwards
Personal: Parents are Bob and Judi Stevens … Has two brothers, Tyler (22) and Brett (19) … double majoring in Spanish and French ... member of the Honor Roll and French National Honor Society in high school
Why Wisconsin?
"I chose the University of Wisconsin for their rigorous foreign language courses and academic opportunities to help prepare me to be a Spanish and French teacher. I was also thrilled at the opportunity to play softball in the B1G Ten Conference and challenge myself as an athlete."
Off the Field with Kirsten
Before each game I ...: Listen to jams from the 80's to get me pumped for the game!
A non-athletic talent I have is: Memorizing quotes from movies!
One thing I absolutely have to do before I turn 40: Eat
at Hell's Kitchen and travel to Paris to experience French cuisine!
Favorite quote: " You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Winnie the Pooh.
Most memorable softball achievement: Being #3 on ESPN Sports Center Top 10 Plays for a No-Hitter I pitched during the SoCon Tournament against Furman University. I also had the opportunity to play the USSSA Pride Professional Fastpitch team and struck out Kelly Kretschman who once instructed me at a Jennie Finch softball camp after they both returned from the Olympics. I never dreamed I'd face Kelly with her in the batter's box and me in the circle!!! I have such respect for her talents!
Greatest fear: Spiders in my bed!!!
What song would you put on the soundtrack to your life? We're Not Gonna Take it by The Twisted Sisters
If you could be a member of any TV-sitcom family, which would it be? Modern Family or The Middle. (I'm the eternal optimist like Sue Heck!!! )
What is your favorite movie line or scene? "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley" -Airplane
What is your favorite book? To Kill A Mockingbird
Favorite athlete? Jennie Finch because she was the first person I identified with for softball. I have always been kind of an underdog in softball and her "Dream, Believe" motto resonated with me. I attended one of her camps as a young softball player and I knew softball was part of my DNA and future!
Favorite team to play? I haven't faced any teams in the B1G Ten yet, but I always look forward to the challenges of pitching against top ranked schools!
