UCO Picked Third In Softball
1/27/2010 11:01:57 AM
RICHARDSON, Texas (Jan. 27) – Central Oklahoma has been picked for a third-place finish in the Lone Star Conference North Division softball race for 2010, it was announced Wednesday by the league office.
The Bronchos of 13th-year head coach Genny Stidham received three first-place votes and finished with 92 points in balloting of head coaches, sports information directors and various media representatives to finish close behind Midwestern State and Southeastern Oklahoma.
MSU earned the favorite’s tag, claiming eight first-place votes and 99 points, while the defending champion Savage Storm had the remaining six first-place nods and 95 points. Following UCO in fourth place was Cameron with 77 points and rounding out the poll was Northeastern State, Southwestern Oklahoma and East Central.
SOSU’s Erika Bernal was named the Preseason Player of the Year and CU’s Carrie Harvey was tabbed the Prseason Pitcher of the Year. Angelo State was picked to win the LSC South Division title.
The Bronchos return nine players – including six position starters – from last year’s 26-15 team that was LSC North runner-up for the second straight year. Six newcomers round out the roster, with several of those expected to have a big impact this season.
Set to lead the Bronchos are senior standouts Molly Shivers and Kelsey Tiger. Shivers has 31 career wins and spearheads the pitching staff, while Tiger has started every game the past three years.
UCO’s other returners are seniors Niki Hunt and Brittany Zimmerman, junior Megan Bentley and sophomores Brittany Geter, Rachel Lowery, Rachael Steverson and Brittany Weaver.
The Bronchos open the season next Friday, Feb. 5, with a home doubleheader against Missouri Western.