Softball Tabbed 10th in Preseason Poll

The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced the 2024 Preseason Coaches' Poll for Softball on Thursday. Doane was picked to finish 10th this season under new, yet returning, head coach Renae Littrell. She returns to lead the Tigers after a previous five-year stint that included two NAIA National Tournament appearances and a GPAC Championship.

Doane opens the season on Friday, February 2, in Sioux Center, Iowa, as the Tigers take on Culver-Stockton in their first game. They will take on William Penn in the second game of the day. On Saturday, Doane will face Kansas Wesleyan before hooking up with Culver-Stockton once again. Doane and Culver-Stockton have met one time, in 1996. In 2004, Doane defeated WPU in the only meeting between the two schools. The Tigers have played KWU 20 times (10-10) with a doubleheader sweep for Doane last year. 

Returning for the Tigers is Second Team All-GPAC honoree, Grace Dowding, in center field. She is joined by Anna Prauner and Jadyn Hunt, who held down the corner outfield positions last year. The Tigers must replace the majority of their innings played on the infield. Payton Cooley and Britney Hoffman are among the returners who will compete for playing time. Rylee Sand is the lone catcher with experience behind the plate.

In the pitcher's circle, Faith Molina returns for the Tigers after leading the squad as a freshman with 6.52 strikeouts per seven innings. Hannah Kline and Alexis Hubbard also return after picking up some innings last year. The Tigers also added some collegiate experience with Sarah Shevenell joining the team after pitching at Presentation (S.D.).

GPAC preseason poll:
1) Midland (119 pts/9 1st place votes)
2) Northwestern (112/3)
3) Morningside (92)
4) Jamestown (85)
5) Dordt (81)
6) Hastings (64)
7) Briar Cliff (52)
8) Mount Marty (51)
9) Concordia (50)
10) Doane (42)
11) Dakota Wesleyan (31)
12) Saint Mary (13)