2012 RMAC preseason softball poll
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Fort Lewis College softball team was picked 11th overall the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll, RMAC Assistant Commissioner Eric Danner announced today.
Colorado Mines was the runaway choice to win the conference with 22 points and seven first-place votes. The Orediggers shared the 2011 RMAC regular season crown with Metro State with 28-11 league records.
Mines was followed in the 2012 poll by Regis (42 points, 1 first-place vote), Metro State (51, 2), Colorado Mesa (52, 1), Adams State (54, 2), Colorado State-Pueblo (63, 1), Western New Mexico (84), UC-Colorado Springs, (91), Chadron State (109), Nebraska-Kearney (121), Fort Lewis and Colorado Christian (136 each), New Mexico Highlands (147), and Black Hills State (161).
Colorado Christian is fielding a softball team for the first time ever. Black Hills State is an associate member of the RMAC in 2012 and not eligible for the conference tournament. The Yellow Jackets will join the RMAC as full members in 2012-13.
Adams State outfield Katelyn Lovato was chosen as Preseason RMAC Player of the Year, while Mines' Kelly Unkrich was chosen as Preseason RMAC Pitcher of the Year. No Skyhawks were chosen for the 12-player RMAC Preseason All-Conference squad.
The Skyhawks finished 13-28 overall and 12-24 in RMAC games in 2011. FLC finished fifth place in the six-team RMAC West Division a year ago.
The conference will not have separate East and West divisions in 2012.
Kira Zeiter begins her second season as head coach of the Skyhawks in 2012. She returns 12 players from last year's roster. She added seven newcomers to the squad.
Fort Lewis opens its 2012 season at the MSUB Desert Stinger in Las Vegas, Nev., from Feb. 10-12. FLC will face Upper Iowa, Mary (N.D.), Cameron (Okla.), St. Cloud State (Minn.), and Minot State (N.D.) at the three-day event.
The Skyhawks open RMAC and home play with a four-game series against Black Hills State at noon on Saturday, Feb. 25 at Aspen Field.
