Long Beach State University Athletics
Softball Picked To Repeat As Big West Champions
1/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State received four first place votes and was picked to repeat as Big West champions in the 2015 Preseason Big West Coaches Poll, released today by the conference office. The 49ers topped the list with 59 points, just ahead of Cal State Fullerton, who finished with 56 points and three first place votes.
The 49ers return a trio of former first-team All-Big West selections in pitcher Amanda Hansen, and hitters Shayna Kimbrough and Darian Tautalafua from last year's championship squad that set a school record with a .308 team batting average. Long Beach State is looking for its fourth Big West championship under head coach Kim Sowder, who was named the Big West Coach of the Year in 2014.
Long Beach State finished three points ahead of Cal State Fullerton, who received three first place votes, and nine points in front of Cal Poly, who picked up the remaining first place vote from the coaches. UC Santa Barbara was picked to finish in fourth, followed by Hawai'i, CSUN, UC Davis and UC Riverside.
Long Beach State opens the 2015 campaign on Friday, February 6, as the 49ers are one of the hosts of the SoCal Collegiate Classic. The 49ers open play at 9 a.m. against. Sacramento State.
2015 Big West Preseason Poll
1. Long Beach State (4) - 59
2. Cal State Fullerton (3) - 56
3. Cal Poly (1) - 50
4. UC Santa Barbara - 40
5. Hawai'i - 31
6. CSUN - 24
7. UC Davis - 17
8. UC Riverside - 11
