Fulton, Mo. – Head coach Sara Stafford and her Westminster College softball team was selected by the league's coaches to finish second in this year's SLIAC softball race. The Blue Jays received 37 points in the pre-season poll including two first place votes. The Blue Jays return ten players from last year's team. Coach Stafford and her staff welcomed nine new players to campus, eight freshmen and one transfer this past fall.
How tight is the race for this seasons SLIAC Championship? Well, five different teams received first place votes, that's how close. Spalding University was tabbed the favorites of this tight race for the SLIAC Championship, receiving 41 poll points and two first place votes. Eureka College finished in a tie for second with Westminster also receiving 37 points and two first place votes. Fontbonne University received 30 points and one first place vote, good for fourth place. Iowa Wesleyan University was picked fifth with 30 points. Webster finished sixth in the vote with 22 points and also received the last first place vote. Greenville University was tabbed seventh with 20 points and Blackburn College rounds out the poll with 7 points in eighth place.
2021 SLIAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(number in parentheses is first place votes)
Spalding 41 (2)
Westminster 37 (2)
Eureka 37 (2)
Fontbonne 30 (1)
Iowa Wesleyan 30
Webster 22 (1)
Greenville 20
Blackburn 7
Along with the team recognition, one Blue Jay found themselves recognized as a player to watch this season. Senior Mackenzie Myers was named to the 2021 SLIAC Softball Preseason Watch List.
Coach Stafford and her Blue Jays will be back in action on Friday, March 5th in Memphis, Tn. In a double header at Rhodes College. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The entire softball schedule can be found HERE.
The link to the SLIAC poll and watch list release can be found HERE.
