Wolverines Listed No. 11, No. 8 in 2011 Preseason Polls
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Carol Hutchins
Jan. 25, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan softball program will open the 2011 campaign — head coach Carol Hutchins‘ 27th season at the helm — with a pair of high national rankings, as released on Tuesday (Jan. 25). U-M is listed No. 11 in the nation according to the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 and placed No. 8 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.
Michigan welcomes back 13 players from its 2010 squad that posted a 49-8 record en route to the program’s third straight Big Ten Conference title and an NCAA Super Regional appearance. Among the Wolverines’ returners are five starting players, including three NFCA All-Americans — senior pitcher Jordan Taylor (Valencia, Calif./Valencia HS), senior first baseman Dorian Shaw (Burke, Va./Robinson SS) and junior utility player Amanda Chidester (Allen Park, Mich./Cabrini HS). Also returning to the starting lineup are junior outfielder Bree Evans (Bloomington, Calif./Rialto HS) and junior shortstop Stephanie Kirkpatrick (Plainfield, Ill./Central HS).
Michigan will face four schools rated among the nation’s top 25 this season and another five among those receiving preseason votes. Early season matchups include meetings against No. 2 Arizona and No. 13 Arizona State at the Judi Garman Classic, March 17-20. The Wolverines were joined in the top 25 by fellow Big Ten schools Ohio State (No. 22 NFCA/No. 25 USA Softball) and Illinois (No. 24 NFCA/No. 24 USA Softball).
Michigan begins another run to the WCWS with its season-opening appearance at the Houston Invitational, scheduled for Feb. 11-13 in Houston, Texas. In their first appearance at the annual tournament, the Wolverines open play against Southern Illinois (3 p.m. CST) and host Houston (5 p.m. CST) on Friday, Feb. 11, at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
2011 NCAA Division I Softball Preseason Polls
(First-place votes in parentheses)
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Follow Michigan softball:
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Pair of Home Games, Traverse City Tourney Make Up Fall Slate
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Coaching Staff Named Best in Great Lakes Region
06/10/2010 –
Video Senior Salute to Maggie Viefhaus
06/02/2010 –
Wolverine Quartet Earns NFCA All-America Recognition
05/28/2010 –
U-M Unable to Complete Rally, Falls in Super Regional to No. 15 Tennessee
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