College Softball News – Guilford Picked Fourth in Preseason ODAC Poll

FOREST, Va. – Guilford College’s softball team is ranked fourth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coaches’ Preseason Poll released Wednesday. Virginia Wesleyan College tops the poll for the fourth consecutive year with nine first-place votes and 99 points. Lynchburg College received the remaining two first-place votes and sits in second with 92 points. Randolph-Macon College was picked third with 80 points.

The Quakers’ 2014 season ended with a school-record 29-15 overall mark, 10-10 in the ODAC. The team returns a key group of veteran players for the 2015 season, including First Team All-ODAC utility player Marty Wilcox. Wilcox led the ODAC in triples (4), total bases (105) and RBI (51), setting school records in each category. Wilcox also set a school record with 11 home runs.

Junior outfielders Laura Hall (.275, 9 RBI, 10 SB), Brooks Bray (.357, 2 HR, 13 RBI), and Calli Pastor (.265, 17 RBI) are also set to return. In the infield, shortstop Taylor Boyd (.333, 10 2B, 28 RBI) is back along with first baseman Rachel Howard (.427, 8 2B, 6 HR, 38 RBI). The Quakers’ two top pitchers are also returning in Maggie Shaffer (14-8, 3.13, 1 SV, 127.2 IP, 69 K) and Rebekah Langston (9-2, 3.11, 78.2 IP, 56 K).

Head coach Dennis Shores’ squad opens the 2015 season Feb. 14 with a doubleheader at Meredith College.

2015 ODAC SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
1. Virginia Wesleyan (9) 99 pts.
2. Lynchburg (2) 92 pts.
3. Randolph-Macon 80 pts.
4. Guilford 62 pts.
5. Randolph 59 pts.
6. Eastern Mennonite 50 pts.
7. Emory & Henry 46 pts.
8. Bridgewater 37 pts.
9. Shenandoah 36 pts.
10. Roanoke 34 pts.
11. Sweet Briar 10 pts.