Griffins slated No. 1 in SLIAC Preseason Poll

St. Louis, Mo. - The Fontbonne University softball team was recently picked to finish first in the regular season in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The 2015 poll marks the sixth in a roll in which the Griffins have been picked for the top spot, this season a unanimous decision.

Fontbonne is coming off their fifth consecutive SLIAC Tournament Championship and fourth straight regular season championship. During the 2014 season, the Griffins tied the school record with 34 wins and won 20 consecutive games, another school record. Fontbonne returns six starters and 10 players overall for the 2015 season including the Glixman twins. At the corners, Cassi Glixman was last season's SLIAC Player of the Year while Danni Glixman was the team-leading hitter, ending the season with a .458 hitting percentage. 

All-Conference pitchers Madi Leonard and Lindsay Schaefer also return. The duo started 37 of last season's 41 games. Leonard struck out 171 batters in 130 innings of work. The Griffins will look to freshmen Courtney Kedroski and Lauren Faulstich in the infield, replacing Marissa Simon and Cara Hargate.

Greenville College was polled to finish directly behind the Griffins. The Panthers return 13 players and eight starters for new head Coach Tracy Cromer's first season at the helm. Panther Tiffany Samsoe was the 2014 SLIAC Newcomer of the Year.

The only team to beat Fontbonne last season, the Spalding University Golden Eagles were chosen to finish the regular season in third place. The Golden Eagles return 2014 SLIAC Pitcher of the Year Kelci Flener who led all pitchers in conference shutouts and strikeouts.

2015 Preseason Poll

FULL RELEASE