February 16, 2018
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

HCAC pre-season Coaches Poll

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The 2018 softball season is just around the corner! With the annual trip to Kissimmee, Fla. from March 4-9, the ladies are in full swing preparing for the 2018 slate. After finishing 2017 with a record of 20-13 (5-8 HCAC), Bluffton is excited for year one with new head coach Amanda DeMoine. With seven talented seniors leading the way, the experienced Bluffton crew is excited to get on the diamond this season.

“Our experience is definitely a strength,” said Coach DeMoine. “Our returning seniors have seen substantial time on the field so I think the leadership capabilities are there.”

Finishing sixth in the HCAC a season ago, Bluffton fashioned a .303 team batting average (third in HCAC) while coming in second with a stout .442 slugging percentage. Solid defense and outstanding work on the mound led the Beavers to a conference-low 1.43 ERA!

Bluffton will see six freshmen compete for time on the field while learning from the upperclassmen. Coach DeMoine feels that it’s a benefit to have competition for playing time. “We have experience in the circle to mentor our younger pitchers with an eye on developing a deep staff,” DeMoine added. “Same thing goes for the infield and the outfield. We have a nice mix of individuals that know what it takes. The younger players are talented and can come in and compete for a spot. They will be able to help challenge the seniors, keeping everyone sharp.”

With the trip to Florida only a couple weeks away, Coach DeMoine feels that it is a crucial part of the season. They will play 10 games in Kissimmee, starting with Simmons and Baldwin Wallace on Sunday, March 4.

“The warm weather and getting out on the field is an important part,” said DeMoine on the trip to Florida. “We have to worry so much about the conditions here, whether it’s snowing or raining, so it’s great to get out on the field and play some ball.”

“The nice thing is that it’s during spring break, so they are not missing anything on campus,” DeMoine stated. “They can focus on playing softball and building camaraderie. It’s a great team bonding experience.”

Transylvania (35-13) and Anderson (21-21) each finished atop the HCAC with identical 12-4 records. The Pioneers swept through to the HCAC title last season and advanced all the way to the NCAA Super Regionals before falling to Illinois Wesleyan, just missing out on a trip to the Division III World Series. Coaches have pegged Transylvania as the pre-season favorite once again but DeMoine thinks that the conference title is there for the taking.

“The HCAC is extremely tough top to bottom,” DeMoine said. “Anderson and Transylvania are always in the mix, but it’s anybody’s game. Qualifying for the tournament is a program goal and once you make it to May, anybody can win it.”

“I’m excited to see our girls out on the field,” added the Bluffton head coach. “I think they’re getting antsy. They’re taking in all the new things that I am throwing at them and I am eager to see how that translates on gameday.”

After the Beavers close out their trip to Florida on March 9, they will head north with back-to-back home double dippers against Otterbein on March 14 at 3:30 p.m. and Heidelberg a day later at 3 p.m. Softball is right around the corner!

-BEAVERS-