[Softball] Grand View Softball Opens 2019 Campaign as No. 21 in the Nation
Kansas City, MO – The Grand View softball programs open the 2019 season ranked No. 21 in the NAIA softball coaches' preseason poll, the national office announced Tuesday. The Vikings were also chosen to finish second in the Heart Conference behind Central Methodist University.
The Vikings return first team all-conference players, Lexi Merritt (JR/Waukee, IA) and Kaylee Watson (SO/Stockport, IA) along with Lauren Poortinga (SR/Des Moines, IA), Libby Yenger (SR/Indianola, IA) and Maddie Thilges (JR/Johnston, IA) who also received All-Conference honors. The Vikings lose four-time All-American and four-time conference pitcher of the year Claudia Farrell, but she will return to the 2019 season as a pitching coach for the Vikings.
Grand View starts off their 2019 campaign February 15th, on the road to Oklahoma Wesleyan University at Bartlesville, OK. Conference play begins at the end of February as they take on Benedictine College, at Atchison, KS.