Marshall University Athletics
Softball Snags Votes in Preseason Top 25
1/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Snags Votes in Preseason Top 25
1/15/2004
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. ? After a record-breaking 41 wins and a Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship to round up 2003, the Marshall University Softball team starts off 2004 by receiving votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Preseason Poll.
The Herd grabbed eight votes in the preseason poll for the first time in program history.
?We are very excited about the recognition,? 2003 MAC Coach of the Year Shonda Stanton said. ?Hopefully, we can use this as a catalyst to keep working harder.?
Stanton returns ace hurler and 2003 MAC Pitcher of the Year Randi Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) to the mound this season along with last year?s MAC Freshman of the Year Amanda Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) in centerfield. Nielson and Williams will be joined by five starters from last year?s championship squad.
The UCLA Bruins hold the No. 1 slot after taking home the national title in 2003. Trailing them at No. 2 and No. 3 are fellow PAC-10 squads California and Arizona, respectively.
Marshall kicks off their season with a stint in St. Augustine, Fla. on Feb. 6. The Herd spars with another Top 25 vote-getter, Southern Illinois, at 9 a.m. at Treaty Park.
