Softball - Preseason Big 12 Coaches Poll

[fulll02]

Well, I'll kick off the first 2007 ISU softball post with an outrage!

(OK, I'm overstating it there since preseason polls are ultimately built off of past performance and mean nothing anyway.)

Anyway, ISU softball was picked to finish last in the preseason Big 12 coaches poll.

http://www.big12sports.com/sports/w-...011807aab.html

Since I love to make predictions - there is no way we will finish at the bottom of the conference. I predict us to finish between 5th and 8th in the league.

Top four (in order) - Texas A&M, Baylor, Oklahoma, Nebraska
Five to Eight (in no particular order) - ISU, Kansas, Texas, Missouri
Bottom two (in order) - Oklahoma State, Texas Tech

So, there you have it softball fans, the first post for the 2007 season.

[edenclone]

Uhh, what makes you think that softball is so good? Have they ever placed as high what you are predicting?

[fulll02]

No they never have placed that high, but I think people are so used to writing us into last place they don't even bother to think about it. Last season ISU finished 9th (I think) with a 5-13 record under new a new coach. (S. Gemeinhardt) Previously, we were always cellar dwellers.

The difference this year is two things.

1.) Coaching - We actually have a good coach now. One example - we had two different speedy contact hitters that under the old coaching staff hit from the right side. The new coach switched them over to the left side (slappers) and their batting averages both shot up by like 50pts between seasons.

2.) The team is loaded with seniors who have all had plenty of playing time. They have the experience. If they have ambition to match, they'll put together a real nice season.

I'm sorry I'm not 100% certain on prior year finishes and statisical improvements. It's late and I don't feel like pulling out my media guides to do the proper research.