Jan. 31, 2012
Prseason Poll
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech has been picked sixth out of eight teams in the 2012 Western Athletic Conference preseason softball coaches poll released by the league office today.
Head coach Sarah Dawson's program picked up 17 points in the poll to tie with San Jose State for sixth place while annual NCAA Tournament participant Fresno State was picked as the preseason favorite to capture the league crown.
The Lady Techsters return 11 letter winners and six starters from last year's team which posted a 17-39 mark, but that ended the season by making a run deep into the league tournament which included a 2-0 victory over Fresno State.
Tech must replace three graduated seniors in three-time all-conference pitcher Meghan Krieg, four-year starting second baseman Heather Doiron and two-year starting third baseman Molly Goza.
Junior pitcher/utility Janna Frandrup was named to the preseason all-conference team which is comprised of returning players from last year's all-WAC first and second teams. Frandrup batted .292 with eight doubles, five home runs and 22 RBI last season while walking 30 times and only striking out 18.
Fresno State took the top spot in the preseason poll with 44 points and three first-place votes. Hawai`i came in second, picking up two first-place votes and 42 points, followed by New Mexico State in third place with 37 points and two first-place votes. Brigham Young received the other first-place vote and came in fourth place with 35 points. Nevada was picked to finish fifth with 20 points, followed by San Jose State and Louisiana Tech tied for sixth with 17 points apiece. Utah State rounded out the poll in eighth place with 12 points.
The preseason all-WAC team was also announced. Hawai'i placed the most players on the team with four, while Fresno State and New Mexico State had three apiece.
The Lady Techsters open the season Feb. 10-12 when they travel to Baton Rouge to compete in the LSU Tournament against the Tigers, Michigan and Penn State. Tech's home opener is Feb. 15 against Southeastern Louisiana.
