SAN RAMON, Calif. – On the heels of the program’s second consecutive trip to the NCAA National Championships, the Humboldt State softball program was projected to finish third in the annual California Collegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Lumberjacks went 44-15 overall last season and finished third in the CCAA with a 22-11 mark. HSU won the conference tournament, breezed through the NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals before traveling to Salem, Va., for a chance to take home the national title.

“The CCAA is one of the toughest leagues in the nation, and the competition on a daily basis is unmatched,” said fifth year Head Coach Shelli Sarchett. “Anybody can beat you on any given day and that is what makes this league so special. We are starting off this season with three teams in the NFCA Top 25 preseason rankings. Who knows where any of us will end up, but I do know that along the way we are going to see some fierce competition and we wouldn't want it any other way.”

Cal State Monterey Bay, the defending CCAA Champions, was tabbed to finish first with 96 points and six first-place votes, while Chico State was ranked second with 88 points and three votes for the top spot. HSU also received recognition as a potential champion with two first-place votes, but was slotted third with 78 total points.

The Jacks open the 2018 season at the Desert Stinger Tournament in Las Vegas. HSU faces Minot State in its season opener on Friday at 2 p.m.

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