Photo by: Scott Quintard
Softball Picked To Finish Second In 2021 Preseason Coaches Poll
2/4/2021 1:00:00 PM | Softball
The Beach was picked behind only 2019 champions Cal State Fullerton in advance of the season.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Softball was picked to finish second in the 2021 Big West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, announced on Thursday by the conference office.
The Beach was received one first place vote and was the clear second choice of the coaches behind Cal State Fullerton, who picked up seven first place votes and 79 total points, ahead of Long Beach State's 63. UC Davis was picked third, in front of Hawai'i and Cal Poly who were very close in fourth and fifth. UC Riverside, CSUN, UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego rounded out the poll.
UC Irvine does not sponsor softball, and CSU Bakersfield has announced that it will not be competing in softball in 2021.
Long Beach State has a strong veteran core returning, with seven starters coming back. Among those include the top hitter from 2020, Breezy Wise, who led the team with a .380 batting average, as well as Alyssa Gonzalez who led the Beach with 8 doubles and 18 RBI in the shortened season. In the circle, the Beach welcomes back Kellie White who recorded 78 strikeouts and a 1.96 ERA in 13 starts.
Additionally, Long Beach State has an influx of four Division I transfers as well as young freshman talent that will immediately complement the group of returners. The Beach is currently completing its schedule following the return to play clearance from the City of Long Beach, with the future looking bright for this unique season.
2021 Big West Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1) Cal State Fullerton (7) – 79
2) Long Beach State (1) – 63
3) UC Davis – 52
4) Hawai'i – 44
5) Cal Poly – 43
6) UC Riverside – 37
7) CSUN (1) – 34
8 ) UC Santa Barbara – 27
9) UC San Diego – 26
The Beach was received one first place vote and was the clear second choice of the coaches behind Cal State Fullerton, who picked up seven first place votes and 79 total points, ahead of Long Beach State's 63. UC Davis was picked third, in front of Hawai'i and Cal Poly who were very close in fourth and fifth. UC Riverside, CSUN, UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego rounded out the poll.
UC Irvine does not sponsor softball, and CSU Bakersfield has announced that it will not be competing in softball in 2021.
Long Beach State has a strong veteran core returning, with seven starters coming back. Among those include the top hitter from 2020, Breezy Wise, who led the team with a .380 batting average, as well as Alyssa Gonzalez who led the Beach with 8 doubles and 18 RBI in the shortened season. In the circle, the Beach welcomes back Kellie White who recorded 78 strikeouts and a 1.96 ERA in 13 starts.
Additionally, Long Beach State has an influx of four Division I transfers as well as young freshman talent that will immediately complement the group of returners. The Beach is currently completing its schedule following the return to play clearance from the City of Long Beach, with the future looking bright for this unique season.
2021 Big West Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1) Cal State Fullerton (7) – 79
2) Long Beach State (1) – 63
3) UC Davis – 52
4) Hawai'i – 44
5) Cal Poly – 43
6) UC Riverside – 37
7) CSUN (1) – 34
8 ) UC Santa Barbara – 27
9) UC San Diego – 26
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