Softball Picked Eighth in SLIAC Preseason Poll
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference released its preseason poll for softball on Wednesday. The Red Devils were selected eighth with 24 points, based on voting by the league's softball coaches.
Greenville, last year's champions, received the most overall points (78) and earned six first-place votes. Spalding was picked to finish second with 69 points and received three first-place votes. Fontbonne claimed third place with 65 points and garnered the final first-place vote.
Webster finished fourth with 59 points, while MUW was selected fifth with 47 points—just one point ahead of Lyon, which finished sixth. Blackburn was picked seventh with 35 points, ahead of the Red Devils, who were slated to finish eighth with 24 points. Westminster (17 points) and Principia (10 points) rounded out the poll.
The Red Devils will look to lean on returning SLIAC Second Team All-Conference infielder Mackenzie Daniels (Monticello, Ill./Monticello). Daniels is coming off a season in which she batted .356 and led the team with 18 runs batted in. Among the other 12 returners, Eureka will also rely on catcher Delaney Douglas (Sugar Grove, Ill./Kaneland) and first baseman Bria Wessel (Peoria, Ill./Limestone) to make an impact. Additionally, the Red Devils will seek production from their seven newcomers, including four transfers.
Eureka begins its season at home on Sunday, Mar. 9, with a doubleheader against Lawrence.
2025 Preseason SLIAC Softball Poll (First-place votes)
- Greenville – 78 (6)
- Spalding – 69 (3)
- Fontbonne – 65 (1)
- Webster – 59
- MUW – 47
- Lyon – 46
- Blackburn – 35
- Eureka – 24
- Westminster – 17
- Principia – 10