A-R-C releases softball preseason coaches’ poll
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference released its 2022 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday, and the Simpson College softball team was tabbed eighth with 22 points.
The Storm are coming off a fifth-place finish in last year's standings after going 16-18 overall and 13-11 in the league. Simpson won eight of its last 10 contests to close the regular season and ranked second in batting average (.322) and slugging percentage (.483), third in doubles (65), and fourth in home runs (29).
The defending A-R-C Champion, Coe, and Wartburg each amassed 57 points to tie for first in the poll, while Luther tallied 51 points for third after finishing the 2021 season as tournament champion. Central was seeded fourth in the poll followed by Nebraska Wesleyan, Dubuque and Buena Vista. Simpson was one point behind the Beavers to land eighth, and Loras came in ninth.
"Obviously eighth is not where we'd like to start, but we are excited to work and bring our best to the ever-tough American Rivers Conference," said head coach Brent Mathias. "From the players to the coaches, the A-R-C is the best Division III softball conference in the nation. We are fired up for the opportunity to compete and get better each day!"
Simpson returns three all-conference performers from last season including Megan Crockett, Karlie Hill, and Randie Richmond. Crockett earned the second first-team all-conference distinction of her career last season after batting .418 against A-R-C foes to tie for first. Richmond was also a first-team performer and led the team in hits (43), runs scored (32), doubles (12) and stolen bases (6) while tying for fourth in runs batted in (16). Hill received honorable mention accolades with the sixth-best batting clip in league play (.400).
The Storm open their season on Feb. 26-27 with a pair of doubleheaders in Irving, Texas. Simpson will play two games against Austin on Saturday at 4 p.m. before taking on Dallas Sunday at 11 a.m.
Following the team's trip to Texas, Simpson will head to Florida for 14 contests at the Spring Games between March 12-20. The 2022 conference schedule starts on March 31 at Central, and the Storm's home opener is slated for April 5 against Dubuque. The A-R-C Tournament will be held May 6-7 with the top seed serving as host.
2022 American Rivers Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
T-1. Coe
T-1. Wartburg
3. Luther
4. Central
5. Nebraska Wesleyan
6. Dubuque
7. Buena Vista
8. Simpson
9. Loras
