BAY CITY, Mich, - The Saginaw Valley State University softball team picked third in the 2010 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Coaches Poll.  If the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Preseason Division II poll is any indication, expect the GLIAC to once again be a player on the regional and national stage led by strong programs at Ashland University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Saginaw Valley State University and Wayne State University. The coaches of those programs, however, would be the first to tell anyone that all schools have to come ready to play every afternoon if they expect to earn wins in a league loaded with quality coaches, players and teams.

In the preseason NFCA poll, Saginaw Valley State was listed 10th and Wayne State was 20th while Ashland and Ferris State each were listed among “Others Receiving Votes.”

GLIAC teams will battle for supremacy throughout the regular season before they travel to Midland for the annual GLIAC Softball Tournament (May 7-9) at Emerson Park. Saginaw Valley is the two-time defending GLIAC champion.

In the preseason GLIAC Softball Poll, Wayne State was first with 77 points and six first-place votes. Ashland was second with 71 points and two first-place votes, Saginaw Valley was third with 68 points and two first-place votes, Ferris was fourth with 57 points, Grand Valley was fifth with 52, Tiffin University was sixth with 32, Hillsdale College was seventh with 29, Northwood University was eighth with 28, the University of Findlay was ninth with 26 and Lake Superior State University was 10th with 10 points.


Saginaw Valley State University

The last two seasons have been the platform for a softball renaissance at Saginaw Valley State. That renaissance includes consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II and back-to-back GLIAC softball championships under third-year head coach Everett Roper. Although the Cardinals did lose some quality players to graduation, Roper’s cupboard is far from bare. Saginaw Valley welcomes back two starting pitchers from last season in Kari Bowlby, a senior, and Jade Fulton, a junior. Bowlby was 13-2 last season with a 1.41 earned run average while Fulton was 18-6 with a 1.15 ERA and 233 strikeouts. The Cardinals have added some depth to their pitching staff with newcomers who could see some time in the circle. On the infield, the Cardinals welcome back Jordan Stuart, a four-year contributor who looks solid over at first base and as one of the team’s leaders. Kim Sills and Ashley Coffin are expected to compete for second base. At shortstop, the Cardinals have to fill in a spot handled by Nicole Fick so well. Kailah Happ, a top-notch defender, is expected to be battling for that spot. At third base, Senior Shannon McLaughlin appears to be the leader. Behind the plate, Nicole Bigelow is the likely candidate to start as one half of the battery. On the outfield grass, Angela Kaiser is a familiar name as a returning first-team All-GLIAC performer in 2009. Ashley Jordan and Billi Hoepnner also bring experience to the outfield.

Coaching: Everett Roper is in his third season as the head softball coach at Saginaw Valley State.

2009 Record: 39-11 overall, 18-4 GLIAC

Noteworthy: Saginaw Valley has made NCAA post-season appearances four times (1992, 2000, 2008 and 2009) and last season advanced to and hosted the NCAA Division II Midwest Super Regional.