Softball pegged second, picks up most first-place votes in GPAC preseason poll
SEWARD, Neb. – Coming off the program’s first-ever national tournament berth in 2014, the Concordia University softball team garnered the most first-place votes in Monday’s release of the GPAC preseason softball coaches’ poll. Defending conference champion Morningside received three first-place nods and 90 points to edge Concordia (85 points) for the top spot.
In his first season as Bulldog head coach, Todd LaVelle guided his squad to a 32-16 overall mark (fourth most wins in program history) and a runner-up GPAC tournament finish that clinched a trip to the opening round of the national championships. While ace pitcher Amanda Beeson has graduated, Concordia returns the bulk of last season’s lineup, including 2014 second team all-conference choice Molly Madsen.
The Bulldogs are set to open the season on Tuesday, March 3 when they are scheduled to play a doubleheader at Bethany College (Kan.).
2015 GPAC softball preseason coaches’ poll
*First-place votes in parentheses
1. Morningside (3) – 90
2. Concordia (4) – 85
3. Midland (2) – 78
4. Northwestern (2) – 75
5. Hastings – 74
6. Doane – 60
7. Dakota Wesleyan – 41
8. Dordt – 35
9. Briar Cliff – 30
10. Nebraska Wesleyan – 23
11. Mount Marty – 14