NCAA SoftBall Preseason Rankings: 'Bama #1; UM #15
The NCAA Softball Preseason Rankings were released this week. It is not a surprise that 'Bama is #1. They have a star-studded team and returns Jr. Pitcher Jackie Traina. Now I do not think Jackie is the best overall pitcher in the country; but she has excellent control and gets many batters to swing at outside pitches. Teams will become more patient against her this year.
I will be previewing the Big Ten Season in another post tomorrow. Coach Hutch did a great job recruiting so we will be better than last year.
Here is the Top 5.
1. Alabama
2. Oklahoma
3. California
4. Arizona State
5. Oregon
15. MICHIGAN
No other Big Ten Team cracks the Top 20. It is good to see La-Laf get some love at #11. They played well last year and have many returning players this year.
Another team that is somewhat of a surprise to some is Hofstra at #20. Hofstra came out of no where last year and had some very impressive wins.
It is good to see the girls from Knoxville getting back into the Top 10 @ #6
http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/softball/d1/usa_todaynfca_coaches
January 30th, 2013 at 2:18 PM ^
Wait, no. DOE ANTLERS? Wait...
January 30th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^
et tu Softball? well at least their women are ugly, right Brent.
January 30th, 2013 at 2:51 PM ^
I was looking around the country yesterday and the BXII already has theirs out, as do a few smaller conferences.
I should have some inside stuff for four M opponents this year, although I'll only have three before they play Michigan.
January 30th, 2013 at 2:56 PM ^
Can't wait for another year of UM softball. Haylie Wagner really impressed in her freshman campaign, so it will be tremendously exciting to see where she can go as she continues to develop. The fall season exhibition win over the professional all-star team certainly sets the table for us to make some noise this year. #15 seems about right based on last year's results & who's returning. We're getting some respect, but with plenty of room to rise!
January 30th, 2013 at 3:33 PM ^
I agree with your assessment, 15 is about right. Although I do believe we are a better team than 15. We have to have some quality wins early in the season.
The game against the "All-Stars" was an impressive win for sure. The dynamic duo of Wagner and Driesenga will be enough to take us to the promised land.
We just need to get the bats going. I bet Hutch made the girls take extra BP over the winter and their arms are like jelly.
January 30th, 2013 at 5:04 PM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 9:36 PM ^
be a great tourney. I wish I could be there with you. That is a long way from A2.
You might be right about Jordan, although Chiddy stepped up last year and did a good job being a leader. But when we hit almost .200 points less than the previous year, it is difficult to win those close games.
I think we matured last year. Yes we lost some games we should have won, but we also won some games that we should have lost. The pitchers will have the most improvement although I am not sure Haylie can improve much from her stellar performance.
January 31st, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^
Especially with a young team, I always prefer to be rated a bit under where I think we'll end up. Better to work you way up to a higher ranking than to start out puffed up & get set down. There's no doubt in my mind that we're capabled of cracking the top ten in due course, we've just got to grow into it.
I also think the schedule sets up very nicely for us. We've got a few easier tournaments (although there is #12 USF right there off the bat) & whatnots where the team should be able to find its legs before going to the Judi Garman Classic to take on the perennial powers. Come through the non-conf in good shape & we'll be set up well for another strong run through the B10 & into the NCAAs.
January 30th, 2013 at 4:50 PM ^
in the ESPN/USA poll.
January 30th, 2013 at 5:56 PM ^
I watched when the softball team won the NC and it was amazing. I love how well rounded Michigan is at every sport.
January 30th, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^
The first team East of the Mississippi to win the SB NC. Alabama became the second last year. That just shows you how good a coach Hutch is. The woman is a Godess in the coaching world. She can do no wrong. I bet if she played the lotto and chose the easy pick, she would win.