SEWARD, Neb. – Hopeful of a return to the national stage in 2017, the Concordia University softball team has been pegged third in the GPAC preseason softball poll, released on Wednesday (Jan. 18) by the conference. Fourth-year head coach Todd LaVelle’s squad earned 76 points in the poll, putting it just ahead of Dakota Wesleyan (75).
The Bulldogs finished in a tie for fifth in the GPAC standings in 2016 while producing a league mark of 10-10. Concordia went 30-18 overall, marking the sixth 30-win campaign in program history. The Bulldogs have gone a combined 91-57 in the first three seasons under LaVelle’s direction. They qualified for the opening round of the national championships in both 2014 and 2015. Concordia captured the GPAC tournament title in 2015.
This year’s squad returns two first team all-conference selections in third baseman Autumn Owens and pitcher/first baseman Michaela Woodward and a second team all-league choice in catcher Taylor Huff. The team’s top two pitchers, Woodward and Kylie Harpst, are also back in the fold.
The Bulldogs are set to open the 2017 season at the Cowtown Classic (Feb. 10-11) in Fort Worth, Texas. On the opening day of the event, they are scheduled to play three times.
2017 GPAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Morningside – 99 (9)
2. Doane – 87 (2)
3. Concordia – 76
4. Dakota Wesleyan – 75
5. Hastings – 70
6. Midland – 50
7. Dordt – 49
8. Northwestern – 39
9. College of Saint Mary – 29
10. Briar Cliff – 20
11. Mount Marty – 11