ROYAL OAK, MICH.—Trine's softball team has been picked to repeat as MIAA champions by the league's coaches in the conference preseason poll, which was released Monday.
Trine received eight of nine first-place votes int the poll. The Thunder will be looking to capture their third-consecutive MIAA title this spring after winning the league title and finishing 38-5 overall last season. Trine will also be seeking their eighth-consecutive NCAA Regional Tournament berth. The Thunder enter the season ranked ninth in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The team returns six all-conference selections from last season.
The team will have to replace three First-Team All-MIAA performers, but the Thunder return plenty of firepower. Headlining the returners is NFCA All-American Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) . Designated player Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) and third baseman Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) each return after earning NFCA All-Central Region honors a year ago.
Returning All-MIAA performers also include shortstop Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton), outfielder Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn.) and pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton). Outfielders Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) and Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) also return after seeing significant time last season.
Offensively, the Thunder return six players who batted .300 or better. Leading the returners is Searles, who batted .464 with three homers, 36 RBI's and 40 steals. Fuller returns to anchor the pitching staff after being named a Capital One Academic All-American last season. She posted a 1.48 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 104 innings pitched.
Trine travels to the Dot Richardson Spring Games in Clermont, Fla. To open the season. The Thunder open against no.24 Coe College Sunday, Mar. 2. The team will play 10 contests in Clermont before returning home to face Bluffton Saturday, Mar. 15 in the home-opener.
MIAA Preseason Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis):
1. Trine (8) 9 pts.
2. Alma (1) 19.
3. Hope 23.
4. Adrian 25.
5. Saint Mary's 38.
6. Calvin 41.
7. Kalamazoo 52.
8. Olivet 54.
9. Albion 63.