The Kentucky Wesleyan softball team has been picked to finish 11th out of 13 teams in the 2023 Preseason Coaches Poll, as voted on by the G-MAC’s head coaches.
It will be almost a completely new side for head coach Miles Mallette, as Wesleyan returns just three individuals from last year’s 13-37 squad.
Returning for the Panthers in the field will be sophomores Sarah Linville and Augusta Garr. Both were key members of last year’s team and will play a large part in the team’s success this year. Sophomore MaKenna Page will most likely be out for much of the season, as she is recovering from an injury.
Freshman Kennedy Matheis will look to take over catching duties after the graduation of MiKayla Benson last year. A trio of pitchers, Immi Mann, Allie Dunn, and Sydney Saalwaechter, will each vie for time on the mound. Shelbi Patterson, Brooke Brown, Grace Colvin, Megan Matheis, and Guinny Garr round out the newcomers and will all play a vital part in the team’s success this season.
The Panthers start the year out in Huntsville, Alabama at the Charger Chillout before traveling to Smyrna, Tennessee, for the Music City Invitational. Wesleyan will take part in their own Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle at the end of February before heading to Florida for The Spring Games at the beginning of March. The Panther’s first home game will take place on March 15 against crosstown rival Brescia.
2023 GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
T1. Trevecca Nazarene – 124 points (5 first-place votes)
T1. Ohio Dominican – 124 points (4 first-place votes)
3. Findlay – 122 points (3 first-place votes)
4. Hillsdale – 121 points (1 first-place vote)
5. Northwood – 97 points
6. Tiffin – 87 points
7. Cedarville – 82 points
8. Ashland – 56 points
9. Walsh – 51 points
10. Ursuline – 43 points
11. Kentucky Wesleyan – 41 points
12. Malone – 38 points
13. Lake Erie – 28 points
