2019 FPN Conference Previews: West Coast
| TEAM | CONFERENCE RECORD | OVERALL RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| BYU | 13-1 | 36-22 |
| LMU | 11-3 | 35-23-1 |
| Pacific | 9-6 | 21-27 |
| San Diego | 4-11 | 25-27 |
| Santa Clara | 4-11 | 9-37 |
| Saint Mary's | 3-12 | 15-34 |
Catch up on all of our conference previews here: Big West, Big Ten, CUSA, Atlantic 10, Big Sky, CAA, Summit League, American, ACC,Big 12.
TEAMS TO WATCH:
BYU
Head Coach Gordon Eakin has the formula for success down in Provo. In a fact pulled from Justin’s World of Softball, “only once has BYU finished with a record below .500 and then in the program’s inaugural season of 2000. The Cougars have reached the NCAA postseason every year since 2005, including the Super Regionals in 2010.” The Cougars return a majority of its 2018 lineup and are poised for another West Coast Conference title this season.
LMU
A team always at the top of conference, LMU battled BYU hard last year but unfortunately came up short. They are a young team this year but the Lions return its top three hitters and top pitchers, Hannah Bandimere and Linnay Wilson.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS:
YOUNG SCRAPPY AND HUNGRY
LMU will be an extremely young team in 2019 and though they return a handful of key pieces from 2018, how will this young team perform?
MOVING ON
Pacific had a number of positive outcomes during conference play last season. However, the Tigers lose many of its most impactful student-athletes in 2019 – how will they fill those holes and can the Tigers build on the success experienced last season?
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Libby Sugg, BYU
The conference’s most powerful hitter Sugg boosted a .414 batting average with 67 RBIs, 13 doubles, 11 home runs, and 33 walks in 2018.
Lexi Tarrow, BYU
Another big bat for BYU, Tarrow hit .345 with 34 RBIs, scored 42 runs, smacked nine doubles, and recorded four home runs.
Delanie Wisz, LMU
Wisz compiled a phenomenal freshman campaign hitting .339 with 36 RBIs, 12 doubles, and 15 home runs.
Bridget Fleener, BYU
The Cougars have yet another powerful bat in Bridget Fleener. In 2018 she hit an impressive .378 with 30 RBIs, seven doubles, two triples, and four home runs.
Hannah Bandimere, LMU
A complete work horse for LMU, Bandimere returns to the circle after a 2018 campaign comprised of 225.2 innings of work, a 2.55 ERA, and 127 strike outs.
Kerisa Viramontes, BYU
Viramontes will need to be good again this season for BYU. Last year she compiled a 2.72 ERA over 155.2 innings of work with 124 strike outs. She has to lower the number of free passes she allows (71) and if she can, expect her to be an even more difficult challenge in the circle.
PREDICTIONS:
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS: BYU
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Libby Sugg, BYU
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Hannah Bandimere, LMU
COACH OF THE YEAR: Gordon Eakin, BYU
