Feb. 7, 2008

Lutes Picked Fourth in Northwest Conference Preseason Poll

NWC Softball Poll

Pacific Lutheran finished fourth in the voting with 39 points, behind Linfield (68), Whitworth (58) and Pacific (46). The Lutes return four starters and two pitchers from last season's team that finished in sixth place with an 11-17 conference record, 17-18 overall.

With six of the eight first place votes, Linfield is the heavy favorite to win its fifth straight Northwest Conference championship. The Wildcats return nearly every starter from last season's team that also earned the NCAA Division III national championship.

The Lutes return Second-Team All-NWC outfielder Heather Walling, as well as top pitcher Hadley Schmitt, who finished last season with a 10-9 record and a 2.43 earned run average. Pacific Lutheran opened its season last week in California, splitting a doubleheader against Concordia-Irvine and falling in a doubleheader to Vanguard.

PLU returns to action with a doubleheader at St. Martin's at noon on February 23.

- PLU -