Softball Ranked No. 24 in NFCA Preseason Poll
1/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 24, 2012
TULSA, Okla. - The University of Tulsa softball team appeared at No. 24 in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Preseason Poll, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced Tuesday.
The Golden Hurricane is ranked in the preseason top-25 poll for the first time in program history. TU, which ended the 2011 season ranked No. 24 in the NFCA poll, returns seven starters and two pitchers from last year's team that won the Conference USA Championship and reached the finals of the NCAA Regional in Norman, Okla.
Returning players of note include sophomore pitcher Aimee Creger, a 2011 NFCA Third-Team All-America selection, junior outfielder Caitlin Everett, a NFCA Midwest Region selection, and All-Conference USA selections: junior pitcher/designated player Lacey Middlebrooks, sophomore shortstop Samantha Cobb, sophomore third baseman Jill Barrett and sophomore second baseman/outfielder Shelby Blanton.
The Hurricane plays a total of 10 games against five opponents ranked in the preseason top-25. Tulsa plays tournaments at No. 23 Louisiana-Lafayette and at No. 17 Texas A&M, and a road game at No. 18 Texas. TU also playing a home-and-home against No. 11 Oklahoma State and a home series against C-USA foes No. 20 Houston and East Carolina, which received votes in the poll.
Tulsa opens the 2012 season Feb. 10-12 at the 26th Annual Louisiana Classics, as it faces Rutgers, Mississippi Valley State and host No. 23 ULL in the tournament. The Golden Hurricane then plays at the Aggie Classic Feb. 17-19, hosted by No. 17 Texas A&M, and the FAU "Strike Out Cancer" Tournament, Feb. 24-26. TU opens its home schedule with the Hyatt Downtown Tulsa Tournament, March 2-4, featuring North Texas, Austin Peay, and Loyola Chicago.
For all Tulsa softball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaHurricane.
