edited 1/29/2015
We take a quick look at the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll – Preseason 2015 and provide a snap shot of each team.
No. 15 Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are coming off of one of their best seasons to date posting 44 wins, winning the Big Ten tournament and advancing to their first super regional. They only lose two everyday starters but they do return Big Ten Pitcher of the Year sophomore Sara Groenewegen and two-time All-American senior infielder Kaitlyn Richardson. Groenewegen also led the country in strikeouts per seven innings with 11.9 and posted a 2.23 ERA. Richardson batted .418 with 10 homeruns and 51 RBI. Senior infielder Tyler Walker also returns with her .382 batting average, 12 homeruns and 30 RBI. Minnesota should be right in the hunt for a Big Ten title again in 2015. Minnesota will open their season against No. 11 Washington February 6, 2015 at the Sportco Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas, NV. Full Schedule: http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/minn-w-softbl-sched.html
No.14 Arizona
Coach Candrea’s squad went 44-16 in 2014 advancing to the NCAA super regional where they were knocked out by Louisiana-Lafayette in two games. The good news is that the Wildcats return three of their five top hitters (BA) from last season in senior utilty Hallie Wilson, senior shortstop Kellie Fox and sophomore utility Katiyana Mauga. Wilson hit .414 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI. Fox was just as impressive with her .389 average and 17 home runs with 62 RBI. Mauga was second on the team with 20 home runs and an impressive .877 SLG. Senior catcher Chelsea Goodacre is also back and she led the team in home runs (22) and RBI (72) in 2014. They will be replacing their two primary pitchers but should be in good hands with both sophomore Michelle Floyd and junior Nancy Bowling returning. They combined to go 11-0 last season. The Wildcats will open the season at home on February 6. 2015 against Oklahoma State. Full Schedule: http://www.arizonawildcats.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=127119&SPSID=785229
No. 13 Tennessee
Tennessee returns 2014 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Co-Winner and All-American Annie Aldrete who hit .361 with 19 home runs. They have 10 players returning and have added eight new ones. Replacing their staff Ace will be important. One option is junior Rainey Gaffin who went 7-3 in 2014 with a 1.15 ERA. It will be interesting to see who takes over as the main pitcher in 2015. The Lady Vols should have a very solid offense and will be able to put up runs. The main question will be how their pitching holds up especially in the tough SEC. They will open action against Ohio on February 6, 2015 at the KSU Classic. Full Schedule: http://www.utsports.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/tenn-w-softbl-sched.html
No. 12 Georgia
The Bulldogs have a lot to be excited about in 2015 as they return all but one every day starter on a team that won the SEC last season earning the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Leading the way are a pair of All-Americans in junior infielder Alex Hugo and junior pitcher Chelsea Wilkinson. Hugo had an eye popping 25 home runs in 2014 to go along with a .341 batting average and 64 RBI. On the mound Wilkinson was impressive winning 33 games and posting a 2.10 ERA with 299 strikeouts. They also return their top four hitters who combined for 59 home runs in 2014. They also add Texas Tech transfer sophomore outfielder Syndni Emanual who was All- Big 12 in 2014 with a .418 average. Scoring runs should not be an issue for this team. They will get things started February 5, 2015 at home against Coppin State. Full Schedule: http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/geo-w-softbl-sched.html
No. 11 Washington
Last season the Huskies made it to the super regional and ended the season 37-15. The offense will be led by senior All-American Kylee Lahners who hit 17 home runs a year ago and will look to improve upon that in 2015. The Huskies have six pitchers on the current roster that could be led by Missouri transfer Casey Stangel who started 25 games in 2014 for the Tigers going 15-11 with a 3.27 ERA. The Huskies are a balanced squad and how their pitching comes together will determine where their season goes. They will head to the Sportco Kickoff Classic in Las Vegas, NV on February 6, 2015 where they will face No. 15 Minnesota in their second game. Full Schedule: http://www.gohuskies.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&SPID=126619&SPSID=777716
