Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Javon Harris
Rams Tabbed Third in Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1/29/2020 2:00:00 PM | Softball
Colorado State will look to defend its Mountain West title in 2020
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The conference coaches didn't tell Jen Fisher what she didn't already suspect – the Mountain West softball season will be hotly contested and she expects her Colorado State squad to fall squarely in the mix.
In voting of Mountain West coaches, the defending-champion Rams were tied picked to finish third in the preseason poll along with UNLV, each receiving one first-place vote and drawing 45 points. San Jose State topped the list with 53 points (two first-place votes), followed by San Diego State (50 points, three first-place votes).
"It's a competitive conference, and we expect to be in the mix," Fisher said. "I think that's what everybody else realizes also. Maybe we're not sneaking up on anybody anymore, but I don't think we ever were. I think the coaches in our conference have a great respect for one through nine and don't take anybody lightly. It's a bit of a dogfight when you get to conference."
In all, six different teams received at least one first-place vote, with Fresno State (44) and Boise State (41) the others, sitting fifth and sixth, respectively. Nevada (23), Utah State (15) and New Mexico (8) rounded out the voting.
Colorado State went 39-12 in 2019, winning the Mountain West championship for the first time since 2004 and advanced to NCAA Regional play. The Rams return a pair of first-team all-conference selections in first baseman Ashley Ruiz and outfielder Tara Shadowen, while leadoff hitter Ashley Michelena was a second-team pick.
Fisher's team opens the 2020 season with five games in three days at the Texas Classic in Austin, Texas. The Rams will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Maryland on Feb. 7, square up with Lamar and Texas the next day and close with Wichita State on Feb. 9. They will play their first 20 games (all at tournaments) on the road, with the home opener at Ram Field on March 6.
In voting of Mountain West coaches, the defending-champion Rams were tied picked to finish third in the preseason poll along with UNLV, each receiving one first-place vote and drawing 45 points. San Jose State topped the list with 53 points (two first-place votes), followed by San Diego State (50 points, three first-place votes).
"It's a competitive conference, and we expect to be in the mix," Fisher said. "I think that's what everybody else realizes also. Maybe we're not sneaking up on anybody anymore, but I don't think we ever were. I think the coaches in our conference have a great respect for one through nine and don't take anybody lightly. It's a bit of a dogfight when you get to conference."
In all, six different teams received at least one first-place vote, with Fresno State (44) and Boise State (41) the others, sitting fifth and sixth, respectively. Nevada (23), Utah State (15) and New Mexico (8) rounded out the voting.
Colorado State went 39-12 in 2019, winning the Mountain West championship for the first time since 2004 and advanced to NCAA Regional play. The Rams return a pair of first-team all-conference selections in first baseman Ashley Ruiz and outfielder Tara Shadowen, while leadoff hitter Ashley Michelena was a second-team pick.
Fisher's team opens the 2020 season with five games in three days at the Texas Classic in Austin, Texas. The Rams will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Maryland on Feb. 7, square up with Lamar and Texas the next day and close with Wichita State on Feb. 9. They will play their first 20 games (all at tournaments) on the road, with the home opener at Ram Field on March 6.
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