Softball Ranked Seventh in NFCA Preseason Poll

1/28/2015 10:36:00 AM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2015) - Coming off a successful 2014 campaign, the LIU Post softball team placed seventh in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Top-25 Poll, as announced on Wednesday. 

The Pioneers boasted a 50-11 record, compiling a .335 team batting average with 395 runs scored, 570 hits, 85 home runs and 369 RBIs. The defending East Coast Conference and NCAA Division II East Region title-holder's postseason run led them to the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship, where they were defeated by No. 6 ranked West Chester and eventual national champion, No. 1 West Texas A&M. 

This season, the green and gold return players instrumental to their success in 2014. Senior catcher Aly Dzierzynski (Deer Park, N.Y.), the reigning ECC, ECAC and Daktronics East Region Player of the Year, earned NFCA and Daktronics All-America first-team honors for her stellar efforts. She owned a .438 batting average, to go along with a .495 on-base percentage and a .907 slugging percentage. Plus, Dzierzynski belted 25 home runs and drove in 77 RBIs, which ranked third among all hitters in the nation. Dzierzynski broke the program's single-season records with her home run and RBI total, and set new single-season program-bests in total bases (176), extra base hits (40) and slugging percentage.

Returning to the circle for the Pioneers are senior pitcher Megan Salcido (Brawley, Calif.) and sophomore hurler Ashley Martin (Long Beach, N.Y.). The two combined for 215 innings pitched and limited opponents to only 197 hits. Salcido recorded a 6-2 mark with a 1.89 ERA in 19 appearances. The Brawley native collected three shutouts and four complete-game performances. Martin, an ECAC All-Star and All-ECC second-team selection, sported a 16-2 overall record with a 2.53 ERA through her 13 complete-game, five-shutout campaign. 

LIU Post will begin its season on Sunday, Mar. 1, when they face Adelphi in Garden City, N.Y. at 11 a.m.

2015 NFCA Division II Preseason Top-25 Poll
1. West Texas A&M
2. Valdosta State
3. Dixie State
4. Southeastern Okla. St.
5. Wayne State (Mich.)
6. West Chester
7. LIU Post
8. Armstrong Atlantic
9. North Georgia
10. Cal State Monterey Bay
11. Angelo State
12. Alabama-Huntsville
13. Missouri-St. Louis
14. Augustana (S.D.)
15. Caldwell
16. St. Mary's (Texas)
17. Tampa
18. Emporia State
19. Humboldt State
20. West Virginia Wesleyan
21. Indianapolis
22. Winona State
23. California Baptist
24. California (Pa.)
25. Wingate