FULLERTON, Calif. – After winning its first conference title in 10 years last season, the Cal State Fullerton softball program was chosen to repeat as champions of the Big West in the Big West Preseason Poll, the conference announced today.
The Titans received 57 total points and earned four first-place votes to lead the conference and take the top spot in the poll. Fullerton is coming off a remarkable 2016 campaign, finishing the year with a record of 45-16, the most wins recorded in a season since 2002.
To complete the conference preseason poll, Long Beach State received three first place votes (55 points) to finish second, CSUN collected 49 points to placed third and Cal Poly placed fourth while receiving a first place vote (40 points), the only other team to do so. Hawaii (30 points), UC Santa Barbara (27 points), UC Riverside (17 points) and UC Davis (13 points) round out the bottom half of the poll.
Big West Coach of the Year and Fullerton head coach Kelly Ford returns five position starters, including Big West First Teamers Delynn Rippy, Lexi Gonzalez, Second Teamer Kylie Padilla and Honorable Mention Samantha Vandiver. The reigning Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year Sydney Golden also returns to the circle for the Titans and looks to have an even better sophomore season in 2017 as she was named a top-10 sophomore to watch by FastPitch News.
This year's squad also features an exciting group of newcomers to the program, including talented outfielders Arianna Burns and Kelsie Whitmore along with all-around athlete Irieanna Siofele; power-hitting first basemen Zoe Richard; infielder Emily Randall; catcher Julia Valenzuela and pitcher Sophie Frost.
Coach Ford will lead the Titans through a tough non-conference schedule in 2017 as they face Texas Tech and Fresno State at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge; Georgia at the Mary Nutter Classic; Michigan and UCLA at the Judi Garman Classic and host Texas for a three-game set before heading into conference play.
Come out and support Titan softball next Friday in their season-opening home doubleheader against Pacific at 4 p.m. and Ole Miss at 6:30 p.m. in the Easton Invitational. You can purchase tickets to the tournament and all home games this season by clicking here or visiting fullertontitans.com.
The Perfect 10 - Get 10 Softball Tickets for $60!
Tickets come as vouchers and can be used all at one game, 10 games, the choice is yours!
Tickets are good for all games and tournaments excluding the Judi Garman Classic
For more information contact the Titans Ticket Office at 657-278-2783
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