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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORANGE, Calif. - The Chapman University softball team enters the 2008 season ranked No. 14 in a preseason poll released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Jan. 30. The Panthers’ ranking is an improvement from No. 20 where they finished last season after reaching the NCAA regional playoffs for the fifth straight year. The high ranking is thanks to the return nine players in Chapman’s lineup that started 20 or more games last season, including seniors RHP Jennifer Winford, IF Catherine Hall, and C Amanda Campbell. Those veterans are joined by junior OF Erin Dudzinski and sophomore IF Melanie Villarroel. All five Panthers received NFCA All-West Region honors last season with Dudzinski also earning NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-America honors. Dudzinski returns to centerfield after leading Chapman last season in batting average (.401), runs (33), hits (61) and doubles (14). The Panthers face a tough schedule in hopes of returning to the West Region playoffs. Chapman will host the defending national champion and No. 1 Linfield on March 26, as well as No. 4 St. Thomas on March 17 and No. 9 Ithaca on March 11. The Panthers then travel to No. 7 Redlands in April. Chapman (1-1) will play its second doubleheader of the season Feb. 9 at noon against La Verne at Hart Park.
For complete NFCA preseason poll: |
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