LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2016) - The LIU Post softball team has received votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Preseason Top-25 Poll, the organization released Wednesday morning.

The Pioneers finished the 2015 campaign with a 32-17-1 record and reached the NCAA Division II Tournament for the 14th-straight year.

Three LIU Post opponents are ranked in the Top-25. They were Adelphi University (tied-No. 7), Caldwell University (No. 17) and Southern New Hampshire University (No. 23), who the Pioneers will host in an NCAA Tournament re-match on Apr. 10.

The green and gold welcome back eight starters from last season's squad, including junior and reigning East Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year Ashley Martin (Long Beach, N.Y.).

In 2015, Martin compiled a record of 18-6 with a 1.61 earned-run average, She led the ECC in wins, complete games (20) and shutouts (8), while ranking third amongst the league's hurlers in ERA and batting average against (.211). Furthermore, Martin placed in the Top-30 in Division II in shutouts (16th) and ERA (28th).

Head Coach Jamie Apicella and his LIU Post squad open the 2016 season on Sunday, Mar. 6 in Clermont, Fla. at the PFX Spring Games. The Pioneers will face University of the Sciences and Post University at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.

2016 NFCA Division II Preseason Poll
1. North Georgia (16 First-Place Votes) - 400 Points
2. Dixie State - 374 Points
3. Shorter - 359 Points
4. California (Pa.) - 345 Points
5. Indianapolis - 344 Points
6. Valdosta St. - 280 Points
T-7. Adelphi - 271 Points
T-7. Missouri-St. Louos - 271 Points
9. Georgia College - 266 Points
T-10. Tarleton St. - 251 Points
T-10. Winona St. - 251 Points
12. St. Mary's - 213 Points
13. Humboldt St. - 208 Points
14. Florida Tech - 155 Points
15. West Virginia Wesleyan - 134 Points
16. Missouri Western - 133 Points
17. Caldwell - 129 Points
18. Alabama-Huntsville - 127 Points
19. Sonoma St. - 119 Points
20. Augustana - 85 Points
21. Regis - 80 Points
22. West Texas A&M - 79 Points
23. Southern New Hampshire - 66 Points
24. Southern Indiana - 65 Points
25. Cal State-Monterey Bay - 50 Points

Others Receiving Votes: Central Missouri, Anderson (S.C.), North Alabama, LIU Post, Ashland, California Baptist, Armstrong State, Trevecca Nazarene, East Central, Metro State