In addition to producing the best softball winning percentage (.857) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference history, the University of Minnesota Duluth has more regular season championships (13) than any other league school, but NSIC coaches do not see another crown in the cards for the Bulldogs in 2009.
UMD, which returned to the NSIC this season after a four-year run in the now-defunct North Central Conference, was picked to finish sixth among 14 teams in the coaches' annual preseason poll which was released today (Thursday, Jan. 29). The Bulldogs picked up 127 points in the voting to place behind preseason favorite Winona State University (175 points and eight first-place votes), Minnesota State University-Mankato (165; three), Southwest Minnesota State University (164; three), Concordia University-St. Paul (135) and Wayne State College (128).
The Bulldogs return 14 letterwinners and eight starters from a year ago, when they posted a 21-18 overall record and placed fourth in the NCC standings with a 5-6 mark. Headlining the list of holdovers are a pair of 2008 All-NCC selections -- senior second baseman Sonja Muck and junior pitcher/utility player Kristin Danielson -- along with fellow 2009 team co-captains Val Hartel (junior outfielder) and Whitney Olson (junior shortstop).
UMD, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Jen Banford, will launch its 2009 season on Feb. 20-22 at the NSIC/Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Crossover Tournament.
-- UMD press release
