UIC Tabbed First in Softball Preseason Poll
INDIANAPOLIS -- The defending Horizon League Tournament champions, UIC has been voted the favorite to repeat, receiving six of nine first-place votes and 60 points in voting of the League’s head coaches.
The Flames bring back four of the five players who earned All-Tournament Team accolades in 2011 as UIC captured the Horizon League Tournament championship from the No. 5 seed last year.
UIC will turn to infielder Natalie Hernandez, pitcher Devin Miller, infielder Coryn Schmit and designated player Ashley Hewitt to deliver the Flames’ seventh League crown and first regular season title since 2009.
Butler, whom the Flames bested in a thrilling three-game set to capture the 2011 championship, received 55 points and two first-place votes in finishing second. The Bulldogs will be led on the rubber by the reigning Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, Jenny Esparza.
2011 Coach of the Year Missy Beseres leads a youthful Loyola squad that was tabbed third with 48 points, earning the final first-place nod. The Ramblers, defending regular-season champions in the Horizon League, will once again be led in the circle by defending Newcomer of the Year Brittany Gardner and fellow pitcher Keali Engelkens.
Valparaiso, who finished second in the regular season in 2011, brings back eight position players and both of its starters on the rubber for 2012. Head coach Jordan Stevens will turn to catcher Jordan Rutkowski for both leadership and another First Team All-League effort.
Wright State reached the Horizon League Tournament in head coach Lynn Curylo’s first year at the helm and earned a fifth place nod in this year’s poll. Infielders Chelsea Archer and China Frost will be expected to build on Second Team All-League seasons from a year ago.
A year after topping the preseason poll, Cleveland State was voted sixth, largely due to the absence of two-time League Player of the Year Tess Sito. In her absence, head coach Angie Nicholson will turn to junior infielder Dara Toman for offense and leadership.
Green Bay will turn to 2011 All-Newcomer selection Shannon Butts, while Youngstown State will rely on First Team pick Jordan Ingalls to help the squads return to the Horizon League Tournament.
Detroit rounded out the poll, picking up seven points.
The regular season gets underway on Friday, Feb. 10, with four teams taking the fields in tournaments. The Horizon League Tournament will be held May 9-12, at the site of the regular-season champion.
2012 Horizon League Softball Preseason Poll
School (1st) -- Points
1. UIC (6) -- 60
2. Butler (2) -- 55
3. Loyola (1) -- 48
4. Valparaiso -- 45
5. Wright State -- 36
6. Cleveland State -- 33
7. Green Bay -- 21
8. Youngstown State -- 18
9. Detroit -- 8
