[Softball] Grand View softball opens 2018 season ranked No. 21
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Grand View softball opens the season No. 21 in the nation. The Vikings ended the 2017 season with a 42-15 record, claiming the 2017 regular season Heart of America Athletic Conference title along with being the first Grand View softball team to win a game in the NAIA National Championship Series.
Grand View returns three key players in the 2018 season. Including 3X NAIA 2nd team all-American and 3X conference pitcher of the year, senior, Claudia Farrell (SR/Des Moines, IA). Along with senior, Kate Crow (SR/Ames, Iowa) who earned first team all-conference and maintained a batting average of .401 and was ranked No. 1 for doubles in 2017. Sophomore, Lexi Merritt (SO/Waukee, IA) will also be returning for the Vikings. Merritt earned 1st team all-conference in 2017 and was named to the gold glove team. Other returners include
While the Vikings lost Heart of America player of the year, Devin Brown they have a few faces to watch for this season, including incoming freshman outfielder, Kaylee Watson (FR/Stockport, IA) from Fairfield, IA and Evangel University transfer catcher/outfielder, Jillian Belieu (JR/West Des Moines, IA).
Grand View opens the 2018 season on February 14 in Rochester, Minn. where they will face Winona State University.
2018 NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll – Jan. 16, 2018
RANK | SCHOOL (1ST PLACE VOTES) | 2017 RECORD | TOTAL POINTS |
1 | Oklahoma City (19) | 68-1 | 529 |
2 | Columbia (Mo.) | 48-7 | 506 |
3 | Southern Oregon | 46-15 | 484 |
4 | Marian (Ind.) | 47-8 | 465 |
T5 | Brenau (Ga.) | 52-7 | 456 |
T5 | Corban (Ore.) | 46-13 | 456 |
7 | Georgia Gwinnett | 50-9-1 | 395 |
T8 | Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) | 39-13 | 379 |
T8 | William Carey (Miss.) | 43-11 | 379 |
10 | Indiana Wesleyan | 44-15 | 376 |
11 | St. Francis (Ill.) | 43-7 | 374 |
12 | Campbellsville (Ky.) | 38-15 | 285 |
13 | Ottawa (Kan.) | 40-19 | 281 |
14 | Reinhardt (Ga.) | 41-14-1 | 273 |
15 | Morningside (Iowa) | 40-12 | 268 |
16 | Southeastern (Fla.) | 43-17 | 259 |
17 | Vanguard (Calif.) | 46-15 | 246 |
18 | Simpson (Calif.) | 45-10 | 240 |
19 | Mobile (Ala.) | 42-20 | 238 |
20 | LSU Alexandria (La.) | 52-10 | 237 |
21 | Grand View (Iowa) | 42-15 | 202 |
22 | Warner (Fla.) | 29-15 | 165 |
23 | Rio Grande (Ohio) | 47-10 | 155 |
24 | Houston-Victoria (Texas) | 34-19 | 122 |
25 | Science & Arts (Okla.) | 40-18 | 120 |
Others Receiving Votes: Oregon Tech 108; Jamestown (N.D.) 107; Williams Baptist (Ark.) 103; Clarke (Iowa) 40; Taylor (Ind.) 36; Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 29; Bellevue (Neb.) 23; Madonna (Mich.) 19; Thomas (Ga.) 12; Concordia (Neb.) 11;Georgetown (Ky.) 11; Tabor (Kan.) 9; Friends (Kan.) 3.