Loyola picked to win 2008 softball regular-season title

Jan. 23, 2008

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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Following a 2007 campaign that saw Loyola University Chicago claim its first regular season title since 2003 and post a 14-5 mark in League play, the Ramblers once again stand atop the Horizon League as the 2008 Preseason favorite.

Loyola earned 60 points and five first place votes in the polling of the League's head coaches. LU head coach Yvette Healy will look to prove the League coaches correct as she returns six starters and 13 letterwinners from last year's squad, including 2007 All-League First Team members junior pitcher Krista Crosson, senior second baseman Katerina Krause and Horizon League Pitcher of the Year sophomore Amy Solava.

In 2007, Krause led the team in nine offensive categories, including home runs (11) and runs batted in (28). Krause also placed second in the League in home runs and slugging percentage (.810). Solava was the Ramblers' top pitcher as she sported an earned run average of 2.21 with a 12-12 record. The LU right-hander also paced the squad in every pitching category and led the circuit with 161 strikeouts.

The University of Illinois-Chicago Flames placed second in the poll with 53 points. UIC also received two first-place votes. This season the Flames return eight starters from last year's 20-33 squad, including Horizon League Co-Player of the Year junior defensive Sarah Clynes, All-Horizon League First Team senior centerfielder Ashlee Ackerman, All-Horizon League Second Team, junior Melissa Marinacci and All-Horizon League Second Team and All-Newcomer Team recipient, sophomore infielder Brooke Frydendall.

UIC also returns eight starters and 10 letterwinners. Included in that bunch is senior infielder Nicole Robinson, who suffered a season-ending injury midway through the 2007 season. Prior to her injury, Robinson had collected 28 hits and 18 RBIs.

The 2007 Horizon League tournament champion Wright State University Raiders captured the third spot in the poll with 50 points and two first place votes. The Raiders open the season by returning nine letterwinners from last year's squad. All nine letterwinners started at least 36 games in 2007, with Horizon League Newcomer of the Year Jherica Williams and Kristen Bradshaw starting all 60.

In those 60 games, Williams and Bradshaw led the Raiders offensive unit as they posted batting averages of .345 and .297, respectively. The WSU duo also combined to score 86 runs, collect 115 hits and drive in 52 runs.

In addition, five of the six Raiders that were honored following at the 2007 Horizon League Tournament, will return in 2008, led by sophomore pitcher/outfielder and tournament MVP Jamie Perkins, sophomore outfielder/catcher Briauna Birl, sophomore pitcher Allison Cox, sophomore second baseman Malerie Klingler and senior first baseman Jacqueline Macy.

Cleveland State University collected 41 points and was tabbed fourth in the poll after finishing the 2007 campaign with a mark of 33-14. This season the Vikings will take the field with seven starters returning from last season. Included in that mix will be junior infielders Christa Coppus and Amanda Houchin who were both named All-League First Team.

A year ago, Coppus and Houchin paced the Vikings' offensive unit as both hit over .350 and drove in 30 and 29 runs, respectively.

Also returning for the Vikings is sophomore right-hander Amanda Macenko, who was selected to the All-League Second Team. Last season, Macenko led the League in innings pitched (227.1), victories (26) and earned run average (1.79).

Valparaiso University collected 35 points and was picked fifth in the poll. The Crusaders begin their first season in the Horizon League in 2008 and will look to build on last year's season. In each of the last three years, the Crusaders' win total has improved from 12 in 2005, 22 in 2006 and 27 a year ago, which tied the school record.

Valpo head coach Randy Schneider returns six of nine starting spots that set school records for slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, total bases, stolen bases and RBI's. The Crusaders also return all four pitchers, including three starters, which combined last season for an earned run average of 3.00.

Butler University garnered 34 points and was selected sixth in the poll. This year, Butler returns eight players who started 30 or more games on last year's team which placed fourth in the Horizon League Tournament. Also back are three of the team's top four pitchers from last year.

Youngstown State University was chosen seventh in the poll with 22 points. YSU head coach Christy Cameron begins her 10th year on the bench and welcomes back eight starters from last year's team. Senior infielder McKenzie Bedra leads the way for the Penguins offensively. In 2007, Bedra ranked among the League leaders in batting average (.416/second), home runs (9/third), runs batted in (34/third) and totaled a circuit-best 16 doubles.

The University of Wisconsin Green Bay (18 points) and the University of Detroit Mercy (11 points) rounded out the poll in eighth and ninth place, respectively.

The Phoenix will to build on their 9-7 League mark from a year ago, while the Titans will look to improve on a 3-14 League mark in 2007 and fill the void left by Co-Player of the Year Kaleigh Rafter. Rafter will miss the 2008 season as she trains with Team Canada for the 2008 Olympics.

   Team (First Place Votes)   Total Points1. Loyola (5)                    602. UIC (2)                       533. Wright State (2)              504. Cleveland State               415. Valparaiso                    356. Butler                        347. Youngstown State              228. Green Bay                     189. Detroit                       11