Next Four Spots Separated by 12 Points

FOREST, Va. --- Two-time defending conference champion Virginia Wesleyan University opens the season as the coaches favorite to add to its league-record 10 overall crowns as the Marlins headline the 2018 ODAC Softball Preseason Poll. VWU collected a perfect 81 points and nine first place votes to lead the 10-team survey.

Just 12 points separate the next four positions in the annual chart. Randolph-Macon College is second with 66 markers and the remaining top nod. Emory & Henry College sits just three tallies behind with 63 points, while Lynchburg College and Guilford College round out the top-five with 59 and 54 points, respectively.

Virginia Wesleyan set numerous records in posting the most successful season in ODAC softball history in 2017, culminating in the program's first national championship. The Marlins won a NCAA Division III record 54 games and tacked on ODAC records for winning percentage (.947; 54-3), longest winning streak (26), and most shutouts (31).

Individual NCAA and ODAC records were also snapped, most notably by Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III Player and Freshman of the Year, pitcher Hanna Hull. The Marlins lefty set ODAC records with 32 wins, a 0.51 earned run average, 372 strikeouts, and 15 shutouts. She also tied for league-high honors with five saves. Her win total and ERA led all Division III players, while the 32 wins tied for 20th-most in Division III single-season history. Her 372 punchouts are 14th-most, and her 15 shutouts tied for 20th-best.

Shortstop Kiersten Richardson also etched her name in NCAA history. Her 68 runs scored and 64 steals led all Division III players last year. The steals are the third-most all-time, with former VWU teammate Courtney Bogan holding that record with 70 swipes in 2016. Richardson's runs total is 11th-most in Division III single-season history.

RELATED: NCAA Division III Record Book | ODAC Record Book

Virginia Wesleyan's path to ODAC and NCAA titles started with a 39-1 overall regular season record that included a 20-0 march thru conference play. The Marlins posted a 16-game winning streak to start the season before a loss to Christopher Newport, but then promptly went on a 26-game run that carried into the ODAC Tournament.

The Marlins appeared on their way to a 4-0 run thru the eight-team field at the James I. Moyer Complex in Salem, but Emory & Henry had other plans with a 3-1 win in the first of two title games. The Wasps, playing in their first ODAC championship game since hoisting the trophy in 2003, matched the Marlins for hits with five apiece in the winner-take-all second game, but VWU pushed across a run each in the first and fifth innings to lock up the league title.

RELATED: 2017 ODAC Tournament Bracket

For just the second time in league history (2013), three teams continued their season in the NCAA Tournament as automatic qualifier Virginia Wesleyan was joined by at-large selections Emory & Henry and Randolph-Macon in the 62-team field. The Wasps, making just their second overall appearance on the national stage, fell in the their opening game against Transylvania University (4-1). They recovered for a 6-3 triumph over Thomas More College before seeing their season come to a close against regional host Berry College via a 15-3 result.

Randolph-Macon was chosen to host a regional pod that included Virginia Wesleyan in addition to Averett University and Franklin & Marshall College. AU got the best of R-MC (8-0) in the first game, while VWU took down FMC, 5-0. The Marlins posted a 3-0 win over Averett, while R-MC rebounded for a pair of 3-1 wins over Franklin & Marshall and Averett. That left the regional title down to R-MC and VWU. The Marlins, with a game-in-hand, defeated their ODAC-mates, 9-0.

Virginia Wesleyan was selected to host a super regional and needed just two wins -- 3-0 and 1-0 -- over Kean University to advance to the national championship series in Oklahoma City.

The Marlins lost for just the second time in the postseason, 4-1, to the University of Texas at Tyler. VWU rebounded for wins over Trine (2-0), Illinois Wesleyan University (6-0), and a pair of rematches with UT-Tyler (5-2 and 5-3) to setup a best-of-three series for the title with St. John Fisher College.

Just two games were needed at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium as Virginia Wesleyan won the opener, 5-0, and got a RBI double from ODAC Player of the Year Cassetty Howerin in the fourth inning of game two on the way to a 1-0 title-clinching shutout. The Marlins went 15-2 throughout the ODAC and NCAA postseason slates on the way to lifting the walnut and bronze.

RELATED: NCAA National Bracket | NCAA Super Regional Brackets | NCAA Regional Brackets

The NFCA preseason poll features a pair of ODAC squads. As one would expect, the reigning national champion Marlins lead the coaches survey with 200 points and all eight first-place votes, while runner-up St. John Fisher is just eight tallies behind with 192. Randolph-Macon sits just outside the top-25 after receiving 22 votes.

Schutt Sports and the NFCA also publishes a preseason player of the year "watch list," which features four ODAC athletes. VWU's trio of Howerin, Hull, and Richardson all appear on the national list of 50 players. Guilford College outfielder Makayla Carver is also in the mix. She finished second in the ODAC in batting (.444) and runs (53), third in hits (67), and posted a 1.95 ERA in 86.0 innings in the circle.

RELATED: Full NFCA Division III Preseason Coaches Poll | Schutt Sports/NFCA Player of the Year Watch List

As stellar as the 2017 season was -- four teams won at least 30 games and eight squads boasted overall winning records -- 2018 has the potential to be its match with 25 of the 36 athletes that earned All-ODAC recognition back for another run. That includes 8-of-12 standouts that earned All-ODAC First Team distinction. Virginia Wesleyan, which is tied with Lynchburg with a league-high four overall returning all-conference athletes, features three first team selections. Both Hull and Howerin prepare to defend their conference top pitcher and player awards. Reigning ODAC Coach of the Year Brandon Elliott also welcomes back his first team catcher Jessica Lindsay.

Guilford returns all three members of its first team honored outfield. Kayli Blankenship (.466) and Carver (.444) were #1 and #2 in batting last season, while Sabrina Moreno (.410) ranked 12th. The trio was a big part of the Quakers leading the ODAC with a .381 team batting average, 63 points better than second place VWU.

The remaining two first team returners play in the Harrisonburg-area. Bridgewater College features designated player Mikalia Guard, who led the Eagles in nearly all major offensive categories. Eastern Mennonite University welcomes back pitcher and infielder Sydney Reath is back after earning her spot as the first team utility player. She was sixth in the ODAC in doubles (13) at the dish and wins (11) in the circle.

RELATED: 2017 All-ODAC Softball Awards

The 2018 season begins with non-conference play on Friday, February 9. The first set of ODAC contests are slated for the Wednesday, March 21. The conference tournament returns to Salem and the Moyer Complex the weekend of April 27-29.

Listed below is the complete 2018 ODAC Softball Preseason Poll as well as preview capsules for each of the ODAC softball programs.  For more information on ODAC softball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.

* Minimum 0.5 IP per team game for ERA qualification;  # ODAC Record

2018 Poll Position: 10th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 10-28/3-17 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Lis Schulz Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Mikalia Guard (DP)   Second Team: Lindsey Talley (OF)   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .402 -- Mikalia Guard   Hits: 43 -- Mikalia Guard   Runs: 23 -- Mikalia Guard   2B: 10 (10) -- Mikalia Guard   HR: 5 (7) -- Mikalia Guard   RBI: 25 -- Mikalia Guard   SB: 3 -- Katie Merhout/Allison Patrick/Lindsey Talley   Wins: 4 -- Carolyn Campbell/Brooke Louden   ERA: 3.46 -- Carolyn Campbell   IP: 93.2 -- Brooke Louden   K: 67 -- Brooke Louden		2018 Poll Position: 8th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 24-18/9-11 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #7 Seed/0-2, Eliminated in second round Head Coach: Sara Flinn Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: None   Third Team: Lindsey Chaney (P), Becca Montgomery (C) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .439 (3) -- Lauren Morris   Hits: 58 (8) -- Kate Hodgkiss   Runs: 45 (4) -- Kate Hodgkiss   2B: 9 -- Dianne Davis/Kate Hodgkiss   HR: 4 -- Lauren Morris   RBI: 25 -- Becca Montgomery   SB: 17 (10) -- Kate Hodgkiss   Wins: 9 (10) -- Lindsey Chaney   ERA: 2.70 -- Lindsey Chaney   IP: 116.2 (7) -- Lindsey Chaney   K: 92 (6) -- Lindsey Chaney
2018 Poll Position: 7th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 22-16/9-11 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #7 Seed/0-2, Eliminated in second round Head Coach: J.D. McCurdy Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Sydney Reath (UT)   Second Team: None   Third Team: Beck Hoskins (OF) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .355 -- Beck Hoskins   Hits: 44 -- Beck Hoskins   Runs: 33 -- Beck Hoskins   2B: 13 (6) -- Sydney Reath   HR: 2 -- Sydney Reath   RBI: 28 -- Sydney Reath   SB: 19 (9) -- Beck Hoskins   Wins: 11 (6) -- Sydney Reath   ERA: 3.25 -- Sydney Reath   IP: 105.2 -- Sydney Reath   K: 42 -- Sydney Reath		2018 Poll Position: 2nd 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 35-11/14-6 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #2 Seed/2-2, Eliminated in semifinals Head Coach: Kevin Proffitt Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Candace Whittemore (P)   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .435 (4) -- Savannah Wood   Hits: 54 -- Savannah Wood   Runs: 28 -- Savannah Wood   2B: 8 -- Savannah Wood   HR: 6 (5) -- Harley Jones   RBI: 35 (8) -- Harley Jones   SB: 31 (3) -- Shelby Hill   Wins: 23 (2) -- Candace Whittemore   ERA: 1.80 (5) -- Candace Whittemore   IP: 186.2 (3) -- Candace Whittemore   K: 135 (3) -- Candace Whittemore
2018 Poll Position: 3rd 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 35-15/13-7 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #4 Seed/5-2, Runner-up Head Coach: Tommy Forrester Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Amanda Whitlow (C), Caley Hodge (1B), Leah Elswick (2B)   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .430 (8) -- Caley Hodge   Hits: 64 (4) -- Caley Hodge   Runs: 38 (5) -- Leah Elswick   2B: 17 (3) -- Caley Hodge   HR: 8 (3) -- Caley Hodge   RBI: 45 (1) -- Caley Hodge   SB: 7 -- Amanda Whitlow   Wins: 14 (5) -- Tiffany Cole   ERA: 2.42 (9) -- Tiffany Cole   IP: 138.2 (4) -- Tiffany Cole   K: 58 (9) -- Tiffany Cole		2018 Poll Position: 6th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 24-17/11-9 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #6 Seed/1-2, Eliminated in third round Head Coach: Mike Mitchell Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Teresa Wagner (P)   Third Team: Katie Smith (OF), Ruthie Williams (DP) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .336 -- Ruthie Williams   Hits: 37 -- Taylor Carter/Ruthie Williams   Runs: 30 -- Taylor Carter   2B: 7 -- Taylor Carter/Katie Smith   HR: 2 -- Taylor Carter/Becca Wenger   RBI: 24 -- Katie Smith   SB: 32 (2) -- Taylor Carter   Wins: 9 (10) -- Teresa Wagner   ERA: 0.81 (2) -- Teresa Wagner   IP: 103.1 -- Teresa Wagner   K: 44 -- Teresa Wagner
2018 Poll Position: 5th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 30-13/14-6 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #3 Seed/1-2, Eliminated in third round Head Coach: Dennis Shores Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Kayli Blankenship (OF), Sabrina Moreno (OF), Makayla Carver (OF)   Second Team: None   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .466 (1) -- Kayli Blankenship   Hits: 67 (3) -- Makayla Carver   Runs: 53 (2) -- Makayla Carver   2B: 18 (1) -- Makayla Carver   HR: 6 (5) -- Makayla Crawford   RBI: 38 (5) -- Sabrina Moreno   SB: 14 -- Kayli Blankenship   Wins: 11 (6) -- Courtney Lackey   ERA: 1.95 (6) -- Makayla Carver   IP: 124.0 (6) -- Courtney Lackey   K: 62 (7) -- Courtney Lackey		2018 Poll Position: 9th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 11-29/5-15 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: Did not qualify Head Coach: Marlena Kotynski Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Kristen Weadon (UT)   Third Team: None Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .324 -- Kristen Weadon   Hits: 35 -- Makaela Dawkins   Runs: 17 -- Makaela Dawkins   2B: 4 -- Makaela Dawkins/Carrie Robinson   HR: 1 -- Katherine Seidl   RBI: 15 -- Carrie Robinson   SB: 5 -- Makaela Dawkins/Carrie Robinson   Wins: 5 -- Katherine Seidl   ERA: 3.72 -- Katherine Seidl   IP: 129.2 (5) -- Katherine Seidl   K: 45 -- Katherine Seidl
2018 Poll Position: 4th 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 29-15/12-8 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #5 Seed/2-2, Eliminated in quarterfinals Head Coach: Dawn Simmons Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: None   Second Team: Kayla Hugate (SS), Skylar Dickens (OF)   Third Team: Sarah Commons (2B), Taylor Mabry (UT) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .435 (5) -- Skylar Dickens   Hits: 64 (4) -- Skylar Dickens   Runs: 36 (8) -- Kayla Hugate   2B: 9 -- Taylor Mabry   HR: 5 (7) -- Taylor Mabry   RBI: 39 (3) -- Taylor Mabry   SB: 12 -- Skylar Dickens   Wins: 10 (8) -- Conner English   ERA: 2.59 (10) -- Conner English   IP: 116.0 (8) -- Conner English   K: 101 (5) -- Conner English		2018 Poll Position: 1st 2017 Records - Overall/ODAC: 54-3/20-0 2017 Tournament - Seed/Result: #1 Seed/4-1, ODAC Champion Head Coach: Brandon Elliott Returning All-ODAC Players   First Team: Hanna Hull (P-PiOY), Jessica Lindsay (C), Cassetty Howerin (1B-POY)   Second Team: None   Third Team: Kiersten Richardson (SS) Returning Statistical Leaders -- (#) ODAC Top-10   AVG: .434 (6) -- Cassetty Howerin   Hits: 69 (1) -- Cassetty Howerin/Kiersten Richardson   Runs: 68 (1) -- Kiersten Richardson   2B: 18 (1) -- Kiersten Richardson   HR: 12 (1) -- Cassetty Howerin   RBI: 56 (1) -- Cassetty Howerin   SB: 64 (1) -- Kiersten Richardson   Wins: 32 (1) -- Hanna Hull #   ERA: 0.51 (1) -- Hanna Hull #   IP: 220.1 (1) -- Hanna Hull   K: 372 (1) -- Hanna Hull #