Softball | 2/9/2022 9:03:21 PM
The St. John Fisher College and Alfred University softball teams were included among the nation's elite, as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association released its 2022 preseason poll with the Cardinals being ranked 15th and Saxons ranked 25th in Division III.
The Cardinals, posted an overall record of 31-7 and went 19-1 in the conference, including a win over nationally-ranked University of Rochester in 2021. Bari Mance's and her staff was selected as Coaching Staff of the Year. Four All-Empire 8 selections from 2021 return for the Cardinals, including first team selections pitcher Jess Paterson and outfielder Allie Klonowski.
The Saxons ended the 2021 season not only as the Empire 8 Champions, but were No. 24 in the nation after their trip to the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament, hosted by University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Saxons finished the season with a 32-11 overall record and were 15-5 in Empire 8 action. They were 16-4 at Harrington Field and 16-7 on the road. Alfred returns 14 from players from last season's championship squad, including All-Empire 8 selections Ashley Lugo, Alllson O'Toole, 2021 Empire 8 Rookie of the Yeat Mya Wells, Tatiana Meija, Alyssa Guitron, Sydney Saucedo and Megan Bennett.
St. John Fisher opens its season on March 4 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, GA, while Alfred begins on March 6 in Florida.