LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- Trine is ranked sixth in the nation in the NFCA Preseason Poll, released Wednesday.
The Thunder received votes totaling 158 points in the poll to place them in a tie for sixth with Texas-Tyler. Trine concluded last season ranked ninth in the nation after setting a school-record with 43 wins and appearing in the National Championships for the first time in school history. The Thunder were selected as the preseason favorites in the MIAA by the league's coaches in the conference preseason poll. The team will be seeking their fourth-consecutive regular-season MIAA title, and will look to build on their conference-record 46-game winning-streak in league games.
Click Here for Preseason Poll.
Trine has risen to the ranks of the nation's elite behind eight-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Regionals. The Thunder reached the National Championships for the first time in team history last season with their first-ever Regional title, and a victory over Emory in the new Super-Regional format.
The team returns seven key components of the batting lineup from last season, headlined by All-American center fielder Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey). The senior is the NCAA's active leader in career triples, and could threaten the all-time NCAA career record this season.
The Thunder also return All-Region outfielder Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central), who led the team in home runs and RBIs last season. All-Region third baseman Kendra Marshall (Leesburg, Ind./Warsaw) and All-Region designated player Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) also return to provide offensive firepower.
Anchoring the pitching staff is MIAA Pitcher of the Year and Academic All-American Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton). The senior tossed the first perfect game in school history and threw a no-hitter last season.
All-MIAA performers returning also include outfielder Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) and pitcher Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood). The team will also get a boost with the return of 2013 All-Region performer Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers), who hit a home run in her lone plate appearance last season.
This season will be Trine's inaugural campaign in new SportONE/Parkview Softball Field. For updates on construction, visit THIS PAGE. Visit THIS PAGE for more information on the project.
Trine opens the season Sunday, Mar. 1 at the Dot Richardson Spring Games in Clermont, Fla. The Thunder face St. Mary's (Minn.) and Susquehanna on the opening day of competition.