Softball predicted as preseason SLIAC favorites once again
St. Louis, Mo. - Fontbonnne University Softball has just been tabbed as favorites to win the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season, as indicated by the Coaches Preseason Poll. This is the seventh year in a row Fontbonne has garnished the top honor, after six consecutive SLIAC Tournament Championships and five straight regular season SLIAC Championships. Greenville and Westminster rounded out the final top three spots respectively.
Fontbonne, who finished 30-11 overall and 18-0 in SLIAC play will have a younger squad than years past with 10 new Griffins on the team. The Griffins return six players including seniors All-American Madi Leonard on the pitch, Emily Smith at the backstop and utility player Lindsay Schaefer. Leonard struck out 226 batters last season in 174 innings with just a 1.33 ERA and 24-6 record on the mound. Schaefer's .352 hitting and 20 RBIs along with Smith's .342 batting average, 31 RBIs and 14 doubles will look to propel the Griffin offense.
Also hoping to make her mark again is sophomore outfielder Samantha Brown, last year's SLIAC Newcomer of the Year. Brown hit .345 with three home runs and 24 RBIs. Fontbonne lost corners and big hitters Cassi and Danni Glixman along with outfieldre Shannon Fitzpatrick. The Griffins will have one of the toughest schedule in Division III, competing in the NFCA Leadoff Classic to open the season (invitational only) and big opponents in Florida over spring break.
We encourage fans to stay on the lookout for our preseason look into the newest Griffins to come shortly.