The Chadron State softball team was shown no love in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference coaches’ preseason poll.  The Eagles were picked to finish 11th out of 13 schools, and none of the players were selected for the preseason All-RMAC team. The poll reflects last season’s results when CSC was on of just 4 clubs to finish with a sub-.500 record.

Colorado School of Mines, last year’s champion, is the overwhelming favorite to repeat as the Orediggers received 8 of the 12 possible first-place vote…coaches can’t pick their own team…and 18 points. Colorado Christian received no firsts, but edged Fort Lews…which had 2 firsts…42-to-45 points for 2nd. Metro State was picked 3rd with 51 points and Colorado State-Pueblo 4th at 58 points…each getting one first.

After that it’s Colorado Mesa, Colorado-Colorado Springs…which got the other first…Regis 8th and Adams State 9th. Then come the 4 schools with losing records last year…Western New Mexico at #10, CSC, New Mexico Highlands, and finally Black Hills State…which was an RMAC member for softball last year even though it didn’t start competition in other sports until this school year. No Yellowjacket made the preseason all-star team.

Named as the Preseason RMAC Player of the Year was Adams State senior outfielder Katelyn Lovato, Player of the Year two seasons ago. Lovato is a 3-time All-American who led D-II in triples last year while batting .448.  Kelly Unkrich of Colorado Mines is the 2-time defending RMAC Pitcher of the Year and the preseason pick to repeat. Unkrich had 16 wins and 3 saves a year ago when she led the league with a 2.96 ERA and was 2nd in strikeouts with 156.