January 30, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282
The 2008 version of the Evangel University softball team has achieved three rankings to date. The team is ranked No. 23 on the preseason NAIA poll, which was released today. The Lady Crusaders are favored to win their ninth Heart of America Athletic Conference championship and are ranked No. 2 on the NAIA Region V poll, below McKendree College. The national poll is on page two. The other two polls, which were released without votes, are below. The complete NAIA poll is on the NAIA web site.
The 2007 Evangel softball team ended its season with a 32-13-1 record, won its eighth overall (more than any team at the university) and fourth consecutive conference title, was ranked No. 18 on the final 2007 NAIA poll, and advanced to the NAIA Region V tournament for the seventh time. The team is led by head coach Jerry Breaux, who begins his 15th year at the helm in 2008.
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Evangel |
| 2 | Culver-Stockton |
| 3 | MidAmerica Nazarene |
| 4 | William Jewell |
| 5 | Central Methodist |
| 6 | Missouri Valley |
| 7 | Baker |
| 8 | Benedictine |
| 9 | Avila |
| 10 | Lindenwood |
| 11 | Graceland |
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | McKendree |
| 2 | Evangel |
| 3 | Columbia |
| 4 | Culver-Stockton |
| 5 | William Woods |
| 6 | MidAmerica Nazarene |
| 7 | William Jewell |
| 8 | Central Methodist |
| 9 | Missouri Valley |
| 10 | Hannibal-LaGrange |