WSC softball tied for 10th in NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll

The Wayne State College softball team tied for 10^th in the 2023 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll released Wednesday morning by the league office in Burnsville, Minnesota.  The ‘Cats collected 87 points in voting by league coaches and are returning six position starters and four pitchers from last year’s team that was 10^th in the NSIC at 15-38 overall and 12-18 in league play.

Defending NSIC regular season and tournament champion Augustana was voted the team to beat in the NSIC this season receiving 10 first-place votes and 217 points.  Minnesota State, an NCAA Tournament team last year, was second with 208 points and three first-place votes with St. Cloud State and Winona State tied for third with 187 points.  Rounding out the top five is Minnesota Duluth with 181 points.

Concordia-St. Paul came in sixth with 157 points followed by Southwest Minnesota State (128), Sioux Falls (127) and Minot State (90) in ninth while WSC and Upper Iowa tied for 10^th at 87 points each.

Closing out the coaches’ poll were Bemidji State (66), Northern State (61), Minnesota Crookston (47), University of Mary (45) and MSU Moorhead (45).

Listed as Wildcats to Watch in the NSIC this season are fifth year infielder/catcher Kim Vidlak (vid – lack) and sophomore pitcher Grace Lucka (luke – uh).

Vidlak, from Millard North HS, was All-NSIC Second Team last season after leading WSC with a .377 batting average that included 58 hits, 15 doubles and 42 RBI while going 23-24 on stolen bases.

Lucka, a sophomore from Crown Point, Indiana, was 1-4 last season in 21 games and three starts with a 10.07 ERA in the circle for the Wildcats as a freshman.

Wayne State is scheduled to open the 2023 season on Saturday, February 18^th at the Pittsburg State triangular in Kansas.        
 
2023 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll
1.         Augustana (10)              217 pts.
2.         Minnesota State (3)       208 pts.
3.         St. Cloud State (3)         187 pts.
3.         Winona State                187 pts.
5.         Minnesota Duluth          181 pts.
6.         Concordia-St. Paul        157 pts.
7.         Southwest Minn. State   128 pts.
8.         Sioux Falls                    127 pts.
9.         Minot State                   90 pts.
10.        Upper Iowa                   87 pts.
10.        Wayne State                 87 pts.
12.        Bemidji State                 66 pts.
13.        Northern State              61 pts.
14.        Minnesota Crookston    47 pts.
15.        University of Mary         45 pts.
15.        MSU Moorhead             45 pts.