Jim Leising
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville softball team was picked to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll that was released by the conference office Wednesday afternoon.
The league’s coaches picked UNI as the unanimous favorite with 100 points, while Illinois State took second-place with 83 points and Drake received 82 points to round out the top three spots.
In the middle of the rankings were Southern Illinois (63), Missouri State (51), Loyola (44), Bradley (43) and Wichita State (33). Indiana State (21) was picked ten.
The Aces entered the 2013 post season as the seventh seed and made it all the way to the championship game, before losing to UNI by a final score of 2-1.
Evansville brings back three positional starters, as well as three pitchers and returns 10 letterwinners for the 2014 season. UE graduated six seniors in 2013, including Sarah Patterson and Tamara Robey.
The Aces returning pitchers are seniors Taylor Perry and Emily Morris, who is also a utility player, and sophomore Annie Moore who look to be a solid rotation. UE brings in freshman Briana Combs and junior transfer Megan Gurski to round out the bullpen.
Catching these pitches will be sophomore Morgan Baer, who looks to take over for four-year starter Halie Malone. Backing up Baer will be freshman Kati Gregory.
The infield will have a completely new look with the only returning starter being senior Kacey Rogers. Evansville also brings back part-time starters senior Niki Rahming, junior Mariah Ferguson and sophomore Kirsten O’Conner. Joining the returners will be freshmen Susan Norris, Michal Luckett and utility player Danielle Freeman.
In the outfield the Aces return 2014 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team member Kayla Fortner and fellow defensive stalwart Victoria Dellorto. UE brings in freshmen Courtney Land, Chandra Parr and Emma Buckles to compete for the third outfield spot.
The Aces begin the spring season on the road where they will participate in the Samford Tournament from Feb. 14-16 in Birmingham, Ala. The first home game for Evansville will be Mar. 1, when it takes on Northern Illinois in the Evansville Invitational.
UE will open conference play on Mar. 15 against Indiana State in a double header at Cooper Stadium.
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Jim Leising
