GLIAC SOFTBALL COACHES PICK FERRIS STATE TO FINISH FIFTH

Laura Crower

The Ferris State University softball team was picked to finish in fifth by the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) coaches in the 2007 conference preseason poll, which was released Wednesday (Feb. 21) by the league office.

The Bulldogs totaled a fifth-place 67 points while Wayne State, the 2006 GLIAC Overall Champions, received eight of the 10 first-place votes and 97 points. Ashland, who earned two first-place votes, and Gannon both garnered 80 points apiece to share second-place honors. Gannon accounted for the other first-place vote. The GLIAC's 11 head softball coaches ranked each of the conference teams, but weren't allowed to vote for their own squad. The first-place team on each ballot received 10 points while the second-place team earned nine points, etc.

A season ago, Ferris State was tabbed to finish second in the preseason poll balloting as the Bulldogs accumulated 88 points with three first-place votes. FSU went on to post a 26-26-0 overall record, which included a 10-10-0 league regular-season mark. Ferris finished tied for seventh place in the 2006 final GLIAC standings which are based on the average of regular season and tournament placings.

Katie Kraai

The 2007 GLIAC Softball Tournament will be take place from May 4-5 at the Emerson Park Softball Complex in Midland, Mich., for the third consecutive year. The top eight teams with the best regular-season conference records will qualify for the double-elimination tournament.

Ferris State returns nine letterwinners from last season's team with senior first baseman Laura Crower (Midland) and junior third baseman Katie Kraai (Zeeland) leading the way. Crower earned second-team All-GLIAC plaudits in 2005. Headlining the pitching staff are sophomores Sarah Mueller (Santa Clarita, Calif./Valencia), last year's team leader in wins and earned run average, and Amanda Jager (Kalamazoo/Comstock). Keri Becker, the all-time winningest coach in Ferris' softball history, is back this spring for her 10th season at the helm.

The Bulldogs opens the 2007 campaign and their 35th season of varsity competition March 3-10 at the Florida Rebel Spring Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla. Ferris will play 14 non-league games in a seven-day span, beginning Saturday, March 3, versus Lewis (Ill.).

FSU opens the conference portion of its schedule Wednesday, March 28, at Grand Valley State in a doubleheader. The Bulldogs host their season home opener Sunday, April 1, against Lake Superior State. Starting time for game one of the twinbill is 1 p.m. (EDT) and all home contests will be played at the FSU Varsity Softball Field in Big Rapids, Mich.

2007 GLIAC Softball Coaches Preseason Poll

1. Wayne State (8) 97

2. Ashland (2) 80

Gannon (1) 80

4. Grand Valley State 78

5. FERRIS STATE 67

6. Northwood 55

7. Saginaw Valley State 47

8. Hillsdale 43

9. Mercyhurst 23

Findlay 23

11. Lake Superior State 11