Softball is Selected to Lead the NACC

MEQUON, Wis. – The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) announced its softball preseason poll on Monday afternoon. The Falcons are projected to defend their NACC title as voted on by the softball coaches and athletic communications professionals of the conference.

The Falcons are coming off a NACC North Division title in 2021 and collected 12 of the 26 first-place votes in the poll for 315 points.

The 11^th-ranked Raiders of MSOE are projected to finish in second place with eight first-place votes and 306 points.

Aurora and Benedictine also received votes in the NFCA preseason poll and are picked third and fourth respectively. The Spartans received four first-place votes and 295 points, while Benedictine had two first-place votes and 278 points.

Last year, the Falcons finished with a 31-8 record and a NACC-best 18-2 record in conference play. The Blue and White were one of the first teams left out of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Falcons return a loaded roster from last year with five returning All-NACC selections and the reigning NACC North Division, NFCA All-American and All-Region selection in Gina Followell of Romeoville, Illinois and senior Kelsey Bollon of Orangeville, Illinois who earned All-NACC and All-Region honors in 2021.

The Blue and White are also led by veteran head coach Steve Crook in his 23^rd season as the leader of the program.

The Falcons open the season on Feb. 23 against St. Olaf and NACC play on March 26 at Alverno.

Rank      School (1st place votes)               Points   2021 Record

1.            Concordia Wisconsin (12)             315         31-8, 18-2 NACC North

2.            MSOE (8)                                    306         35-10, 15-5 NACC North

3.            Aurora (4)                                   295         35-7, 18-2 NACC South

4.            Benedictine (2)                            278         34-14, 17-3 NACC South

5.            Marian                                        206         23-20, 10-10 NACC North

6.            St. Norbert                                  204         18-9, 11-4 Midwest North

7.            Rockford                                      176         23-18, 11-9 NACC South

8.            Dominican                                   140         11-20, 7-13 NACC South

t-9.         Lakeland                                      124         12-23-1, 9-11 NACC North

t-9.         Wisconsin Lutheran                       124         15-23, 8-12 NACC North

11.          Concordia Chicago                        117         11-27-1, 6-14 NACC South

12.          Edgewood                                     55           9-31, 1-19 NACC South

13.          Alverno                                         26           1-28, 0-20 NACC South