LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL PAGE
LINK - 2017 GLIAC PREVIEW PAGE
Ashland University's softball team has been picked to finish third in the 2017 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll that was released on Tuesday (Feb. 7) morning.
The Eagles finished the 2016 season with a 29-23-1 overall record and a 15-10-1 record in the GLIAC, placing them fifth. They'd go on to make a run in the conference tournament before ultimately losing to Wayne State in the championship game.
Ashland had five seniors on its 2016 team, two of which earned All-GLIAC honors. The team's other two All-GLIAC players are both returning this season. They are senior outfielder Ally Farrah and sophomore pitcher Hannah Stroe. Farrah was second on the team with a .344 batting average last season, and Stroe is one of six returning GLIAC pitchers to earn all-conference last year.
The Eagles are also bringing back senior second baseman Kalene Freshour and senior shortstop Alexis Van Horn. Freshour is Ashland's only returning player that has played in all 102 games over the past two seasons, and Van Horn led the team with eight home runs last year.
2017 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL SEASON PREVIEW VIDEO
AU head coach Sheilah Gulas, sitting at 899 career wins, hopes to achieve her 900th when the team's season begins Feb. 24-26 at the Lewis Dome Invitational. She announced Friday (Feb. 3) that she will retire following the 2017 season, her 31st as a college head coach and 21st at Ashland.
The Eagles' first home doubleheader is March 23 vs. Notre Dame College, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
2017 GREAT LAKES INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PRESEASON SOFTBALL COACHES' POLL
|
Grand Valley State |
116 (6) |
|
Wayne State |
115 (6) |
|
ASHLAND |
95 |
|
Saginaw Valley State |
88 |
|
Ferris State |
80 |
|
Hillsdale |
71 |
|
Tiffin |
55 |
|
Findlay |
52 |
|
Ohio Dominican |
40 |
|
Walsh |
38 |
|
Northwood |
31 |
|
Lake Erie |
11 |
AU
SB/KK