Jan. 23, 2008

CHICAGO - Defending regular-season champion Loyola University Chicago has been picked to finish first in the annual Horizon League Preseason Softball Poll of the League's head coaches. The Ramblers received five first-place votes and a total of 60 points to edge city rival UIC (53 points) for the top spot in the poll.

Wright State, which went to the NCAA Tournament a year ago, thanks to winning the Horizon League Championship title, was slated third with 50 points, followed by Cleveland State (41 points), League newcomer Valparaiso (35 points) and Butler (34 points). Youngstown State (22 points), Green Bay (18 points) and Detroit (11 points) rounded out the bottom portion of the projected standings.

A year ago, Loyola knocked off a pair of teams (DePaul and Northwestern) that advanced to the Women's College World Series, and won 14 League contests. Fourth-year head coach Yvette Healy returns six starters from last year's club, including Second Team All-Mideast Region utility player Kat Krause. Sophomore right-hander Amy Solava, the Horizon League Pitcher of the Year in 2007 and also a second team all-region pick, returns to anchor the pitching staff.

The Ramblers raise the curtain on the 2008 season at the UNLV Alexis Resort Kick-Off Classic, Feb. 8-10.