Hilltopper Softball Cracks NFCA Top 25

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The West Liberty University softball team made history on Tuesday when the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) put the Hilltoppers at No. 24 in its annual NCAA Division II preseason poll.

   While the West Liberty softball program has been listed among teams receiving votes multiple times over the past few seasons, this marks the first time the Hilltoppers have been ranked among the nation’s Top 25 teams.

   Fresh off back-to-back Mountain East Conference Coach of the Year awards, veteran head coach Herb Minch has built the Black and Gold into a perennial Atlantic Region power. He picked up his 500th career win last spring as WLU rolled to a second straight MEC title and NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament run.

   This year’s Black and Gold must replace NFCA All-America and NCAA Division II Academic All-America catcher Kat Donzella but the cupboard is far from bare for Coach Minch.

   A trio of returning first-team All-Atlantic Region selections leads a deep and talented returning core for the two-time defending MEC champs. Topping the list is NCAA Division II All-America ace Makenzie Amend, the MEC and Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year who fired two postseason no-hitters and finished the season ranked among the Top 10 nationally in several statistical categories.

   She's joined by fellow All-Region standouts in senior centerfielder Katie Beeman, a three-time All-MEC selection and former MEC Tournament MVP, along with hard-throwing lefty pitcher/first baseman Annie Paterson, who led the MEC in strikeouts during the regular season while swinging a potent bat in the middle of the WLU batting order.

   Perennial Top 10 power Texas-Tyler received eight first-place votes to earn the No. 1 spot in the poll, edging out 2019 national champion Augustana (S.D.). Biola (Calif.), defending national champion West Texas A&M and North Georgia rounded out the top five.

   West Liberty was one of only two Atlantic Region squads to earn a Top 25 ranking. Defending regional champion West Chester slotted in at No. 9 on Tuesday. Fellow PSAC member Kutztown (Pa.) was among teams receiving votes.

   The Hilltoppers are scheduled to open the 2022 season at home on Feb. 20 with a non-conference doubleheader against Clarion (Pa.).

 

SOFTBALL

2022 NFCA Division II

Preseason Top 25

January 25, 2022

                                                                              2021    2021

        Team                                              Pts        W-L   Rank

 1    UT-Tyler (8)                                  386       33-7        17

 2    Augustana (5)                              371       49-8          3

 3    Biola (3)                                        365    26-16          2

 4    West Texas A&M                        360    43-12          1

 5    North Georgia                             348       43-8          4

 6    Grand Valley State                     318    45-10          5

 7    Valdosta State                             310    38-11          6

 8    Saint Anselm                                266       33-7          7

 9    West Chester                               248    34-16          8

10    Concordia-Irvine                         240    34-13        12

11    Minnesota State                         230    40-10        13

12    Indianapolis                                 223       46-8        11

13    Lincoln Memorial                        218       38-8        10

14    Auburn-Montgomery                196       40-7        21

15    Oklahoma Christian                   192       38-9        14

16    Southern Arkansas                     139    29-10        18

17    West Florida                                136    33-16        15

18    Angelo State                                131    33-14        RV

19    Georgian Court                           130       38-6        19

20    Central Oklahoma                         77    36-14        22

21    Colorado Mesa                             75       39-5        23

22    Texas A&M-Commerce               58    33-18          9

23    Alabama-Huntsville                      44    32-14        25

24    WEST LIBERTY                               28    37-17       RV

25    Central Missouri                            22    38-14        RV

   Also receiving votes: Western Washington 20, Anderson 19, Texas A&M-Kingsville 15, Tampa 12, Rollins 7, Northwest Nazarene 6, Rogers State 6, Kutztown, 3, Adelphi 1.


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