Simon Fraser University's (SFU) softball squad has been predicted to finish seventh in its conference ahead the upcoming 2023 campaign.
This is despite leading the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) last year in batting average (.320), slugging percentage (.462) and steals (57).
The Red Leafs missed the playoffs, however, following a 9-15 conference record and fifth-place finish in the seven-team standings.
That put SFU one spot shy of a ticket to the postseason and potentially beyond in NCAA Div. II play.
Overall, the red and white finished 2022 with a record of 18-22.
There were upcoming roster currently boasts 10 rookies and only one veteran athlete.
This is likely a reason why SFU is ranked seventh going into the new year by the GNAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released on Tuesday (Jan. 24).
Northwest Nazarene is anticipated to have another championship-caliber campaign with 13 returning athletes on its roster that helped claim the Idaho school's third consecutive GNAC title.
The Nighthawks received the maximum number of votes in the poll (49).
The 2023 GNAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll results were as follows:
- Northwest Nazarene (49 points)
- Saint Martin's (36 points)
- Western Washington (35 points)
- Central Washington (32 points)
- Western Oregon (21 points)
- Montana State Billings (12 points)
- Simon Fraser (11 points)
The Red Leafs will look to prove the poll wrong when their season begins next month when they travel to New Mexico for the South Central Regional Challenge.
SFU is set to play six games between Feb. 3 and 5.
