Independent file photo Members of the SMSU softball team celebrate with Madison Krog (13) after she hits a home run during their April 2017 game against the University of Minnesota Crookston. The Mustangs were picked eighth in the NSIC preseason poll this season.

BURNSVILLE – The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team was picked to finish eighth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll as voted on by the 16 head coaches in the league.

Winona State was picked as the preseason favorites to win the NSIC for a third time in four seasons, garnering 11 first place votes and 221 points in the poll following a 51-13 overall record and an NCAA regional appearance last year (coaches cannot vote for their own team).

Augustana, also an NCAA regional participant from last season, was picked second with 206 points and two first place votes. Defending DII National Champions, Minnesota State, was voted third with 202 points and three first place votes while Minnesota Duluth was fourth (183) and Sioux Falls was chosen fifth to round out the top five (157).

St. Cloud State (146), Northern State (119), and SMSU (108) were voted to finish sixth, seventh and eighth respectively while Concordia-St. Paul and U-Mary rounded out the top-ten teams in a tie for ninth with 102 points.

The Preseason Coaches’ Poll is based off each coach ranking each team from 15 to 1 with the top team receiving 15 points, second 14, third 13, etc.

Jessica Meidl, a senior outfielder from Minnesota State, was named NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, while McKenna Larsen of Winona State was tabbed as Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

SMSU freshman infielder, Bailey Johnson, and junior pitcher, Athena Golling, were named “Players to Watch” in the conference this season.

Johnson comes to SMSU from Mount Pleasant High School in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Golling, a native of Antioch, Calif., appeared in 18 games with 12 starts in the circle last season. She finished the 2017 season with 37 strikeouts, posting a 3.43 ERA in 65 and 1/3 innings pitched and a 6-3 record with 1 complete game.

SMSU finished the 2017 season 23-23 overall with a 14-14 record in NSIC games.

The Mustangs are currently conducting practice in the PE Gym and R/A Facility before opening the season against Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 5 in the West St. Paul Dome in West St. Paul.

SMSU will continue to play its scheduled nonconference games against NSIC teams with four games in the Dragon-Beaver Bash hosted in the West St. Paul Dome on Feb. 22-23. SMSU will then make its annual Spring Break trip to Florida where they will play a total of nine nonconference games against Eckerd College, the University of Tampa, Warner University and Rollins College.

The Mustangs will open up Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action on March 27, with a doubleheader on the road at Sioux Falls.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

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