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INDIANAPOLIS - Southern Illinois at Edwardsville is the favorite to claim the Great Lakes Valley Conference softball championship, the league announced Wednesday in its preseason poll. SIUE, the defending GLVC champion, collected 142 total votes and 10 of the 13 first-place votes from league coaches in the preseason poll. Southern Indiana claimed 126 total points and two first-place votes in the poll to finish second behind SIUE. Lewis picked up the final first-place vote and placed third in the poll with 120 total points. Northern Kentucky University garnered 113 total points and is ranked fourth in the poll. The Norse posted a 41-21 overall record last season and advanced to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. NKU will feature sophomore pitcher Amanda Smith, who batted .317 in 2006 with two home runs and 32 runs batted in. Smith also posted a 24-12 record in the circle for the Norse with a 2.27 earned run average. Sophomore catcher Jenny Weis returns after batting .322 with three home runs. Sophomore Katybeth Coode hit .321 with two home runs and 11 doubles last year, and sophomore outfielder Shatona Campbell (five home runs, 29 RBI) is also back. Senior infielder Becky Napier, limited to 12 games last year due to injuries, adds experience to the lineup. NKU opens the
season Feb. 9 against Arkansas Tech at the North Alabama Tournament
in Florence, Ala. Team
total points (first-place votes) |
