2019: Karisa Hughen continued in her role as one of the staff’s primary pitchers, earning innings in 23 games this season including 15 starts. She ended the regular-season with a 5-7 record, winning her last two decisions which included a victories against Canisius and Hartford. In the latter game, she tossed a four-hit shutout by fanning eight hitters and walking one Hartford batter. Her longest outing of the year was a nine-inning win at Stetson as she allowed one run and struck out five in the complete-game effort. Hughen pitched six or more innings in five games this season and ended with a 4-1 record with the lone setback being a 2-1 decision at Delaware State. The senior recorded 57 strikeouts in her 85-plus innings and sported a 4.41 ERA this year. Hughen registered a 1-1 mark in MAAC games this year over 16.1 innings pitched.
2018: Karisa Hughen enjoyed a strong finish to her 2018 regular-season by picking up two wins her in last two regular season outings. She tossed a complete game victory over Sacred Heart by fanning four, scattering nine hits, and allowing four earned runs in a 7-4 decision. He earned the victory in the opening game against Canisius six days later by tossing four shutout innings and allowing just two hits in a 3-0 win. Over her last five regular-season appearances, Hughen registered a 4.17 ERA with six strikeouts in 15.1 innings pitched. Hughen earned a starting nod in five of her first six appearances before serving as a reliever for seven of her final 10 outings. She struck out a season-high four batters against Sacred Heart, which was also the only game in which she pitched more than five innings in a game this year. Hughen earned one start in MAAC Tournament play, registering a 1.91 ERA in 7.1 innings of work, earning a victory against Marist.
2017: Hughen emerged as one of the dependable arms for the Stags through the first half of the year before having to go on the disabled list for three weeks. In February and March, the right hander surrendered five or more earned runs in six of her 14 appearances. In April and May, she yielded five or more earned runs in one of her eight appearances. Hughen closed out the regular season with a 2-1 mark over her final three games including a pair of wins on the final regular-season weekend (Saint Peter’s and Quinnipiac). Hughen adapted well to her new role as a starter after leading the team with four saves as a primary reliever in 2016. Hughen fanned 44 batters in 111 innings of work, both of which place second on the team. She capped her season by earning an appearance against McNeese in the 2017 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, surrendering two runs in an inning of work.
2016: Hughen quickly adapted to her role out of the bullpen this year with 11 of her 16 appearances coming as a reliever. She picked up four saves in those 11 relief appearances which enabled her to place 26th in the nation for saves. The righty earned saves against Bethune-Cookman, Rider, and two versus Sacred Heart. She did not allow a run in half of her 16 games pitched, one of which was a shutout against Rhode Island. Hughen allowed just two hits and fanned two in the 10-0 victory against the Rams. She also collected a complete-game win against Wagner on April 13, yielding one earned run and nine hits while striking out five without walking a batter. Her 39-plus innings pitched are third among her teammates and the most by any Fairfield underclassman.
Before Fairfield: Karisa Hughen was a key member of the Rancho Buena Vista High School softball team throughout her career. During that time frame, the pitcher posted a 2.52 ERA with 19 wins and 134 strikeouts in 174 innings pitched. In her sophomore season, Hughen earned a 14-6 record in 25 appearances, fanning 102 batters in 124 innings pitched. As a junior, Hughen posted 32 strikeouts in 50 innings of work and earned a 5-2 overall record. A control pitcher, she registered more strikeouts than walks in her soiphomore and junior seasons. In addition to her high school performance, Hughen also was a member of the American Athletics Gold travel team. She earned a spot on the academic honor roll each semester and was an AP scholar.
