SAINT LEO, Fla. – When the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its preseason poll for Division II, Saint Leo softball came in at No. 23, falling one spot from the final 2017 rankings.
 
The Lions, who finished 2017 with a 37-15 record and hosted the NCAA Division II South Regional 2, will open the new year ranked 23rd in the nation and stands as the lone representative for the Sunshine State Conference in the top-25. Palm Beach Atlantic received votes in the poll.
 
Saint Leo is set to open the 2018 season at the Division II Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala. Where they will face Delta State, No. 3 West Florida, Shorter, RV North Alabama, RV Ala.-Huntsville and West Alabama.
 
Defending National Champion, Minnesota State was selected as No. 1 in the NFCA Division II Top 25 preseason poll where Angelo State was No. 2, West Florida was No. 3, West Virginia Wesleyan was No. 4 and Humboldt State rounded out the top five with No. 5.
 
First pitch for the 2018 season is set for Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. against Delta State.

Early this week, Saint Leo was selected to win its third straight SSC title as voted upon by the Sunshine State Conference coaches, receiving 100 total votes and 10 of 11 first place votes. 
 
For more information on the Saint Leo softball program, visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.