By Susannah Waite, Editor-in-Chief
Oklahoma City University was picked to finish second in the Sooner Athletic Conference according to the SAC preseason softball coaches’ poll.
In a narrow vote, the Stars were picked to finish behind Lubbock Christian (Texas).
OCU received three first-place votes and sits one point behind Lubbock Christian who picked up four first-place votes.
St. Gregory’s finished third in the voting with 25 points.
Lubbock Christian, OCU and St. Gregory’s all reached the NAIA Tournament last season.
The Stars finished 47-20 in 2012 and made their second appearance in the NAIA Tournament championship game in the last three seasons.
OCU posted a runner-up finish after falling 1-0 to Shorter (Ga.).
The Stars also took the SAC Tournament title for the 15th time in program history a season ago.
OCU is led by returning all-American’s LeeAnn Lopez and Tori Joyner.
Lopez, of Grand Prairie, Texas, hit .399 with 62 RBIs, 20 doubles and 19 home runs in 2012.
The senior first baseman posted a .979 fielding percentage a season ago.
Joyner, of Mustang, posted a .397 batting average, scored 73 runs and stole 48 bases a season ago.
The senior shortstop finished 2012 with a fielding percentage of .935.
Fellow seniors Magean De La Torre and Angela Lovelady were all-SAC selections in 2012.
De La Torre, of Plano, Texas, drove in 48 runs and Lovelady, of El Cajon, Calif., earned a SAC gold-glove award at second base.
Oklahoma Baptist finished in the middle of the pack with 18 points in the poll, followed by USAO with 16, Rogers State with 15 and Mid-America Christian with six.
The Stars have won NAIA titles in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2007.
Sooner Athletic Conference
Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Lubbock Christian (4) 34
2. Oklahoma City (3) 33
3. St. Gregory’s 25
4. Oklahoma Baptist 18
5. USAO 16
6. Rogers State 15
7. MACU 6
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