“Krista Hansen, a senior captain who plays second base for the University of Akron’s softball team, is having a stellar season. Hansen, a native of Arlington, WA and a graduate of Arlington High school is the youngest of three children. I come from a small town, Hansen said.”
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Krista Hansen, a senior captain who plays second base for the University of Akron’s softball team, is having a stellar season.

Hansen, a native of Arlington, WA and a graduate of Arlington High school is the youngest of three children.

I come from a small town, Hansen said. The high school wasn’t very big, and had maybe about 1,200 kids.

For Hansen, moving to a city like Akron was a bit of a change.

Akron’s a lot more diverse then where I’m from, and the weather in Washington doesn’t get as cold as it does here, Hansen said.

While in high school, Hansen not only played softball, but was also on the basketball team.

I loved softball the most, Hansen said. I definitely wasn’t good enough to play basketball in college.

Hansen also helped lead her Lake Breeze fast pitch team to two state championships in 2004 and 2005.

Hansen first picked up the bat and glove at the age of 6 when she started out in little league.

After graduating high school, she was recruited by former UA head softball coach Julie Wright.

I came on a visit and I got to see all the new great facilities, Hansen said. I also really liked the team, and that’s what made me come to Akron.

When Hansen is not playing softball, she enjoys spending her time playing the guitar and snowboarding.

When Hansen is playing softball, she seems to always do the right thing.

Krista is always making great routine plays and is very solid defensively, UA head coach Julie Jones said. She also has worked tremendously hard at the plate, and I’m very proud of her for that.

Hansen is the only senior on the team and has proved to be a good example of a real team player.

It’s hard because I didn’t have a class to be with all four years, so senior day is going to be a little lonely, Hansen said.

Even though Hansen is the only senior on the team, coach Julie Jones has liked the fact that she is a good leader and analyzer of the game.

While Hansen may not be described as an incredible vocal leader, she has shown a tremendous amount of leadership by leading as an example for her teammates.

Krista’s leadership and dedication to constant improvement has helped move this program forward in a positive direction, Jones said.

Hansen ranks in the top three in many offensive categories for the Zips this season. She has the third highest on base percentage at .389 and is also third in RBI with 16.

As a potential all MAC candidate, she is second in batting average, batting .333, and also second in hits with 44.

Despite these impressive statistics, Hansen’s most memorable moment while playing softball at UA was in last year’s MAC tournament.

Winning three games in one day was just unbelievable, and especially it being in the MAC tournament, Hansen said.

As for Hansen’s feelings towards Jones, they’re at a level where it is apparent that she really looks up to her as a great mentor.

Coach Jones is a great coach, she teaches us so many lessons that can be accountable in the real world, Hansen said.

As for the real world, Hansen plans to move back to her home state of Washington after she graduates, but she will never forget her time spent at the University of Akron.

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