COLLEGE SOFTBALL: Lenoir-Rhyne No. 21 in final NCAA Division II rankings

HobbsDailyReport.com

HICKORY – Lenoir-Rhyne University, after winning at least 45 games in three straight seasons, ended up as a Top 25 team in the final NCAA Division II rankings.

HOLLAR

The Bears (45-10) ranked No. 21 in the last National Fast-pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll.

LRU, coached by Shena Hollar, had a run during the season in which it went 40-2, and the Bears earned a regional appearance for the 13th time in school history.

The Bears went 23-0 at home, 19-1 in winning the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) regular season title, and they were 18-4 on the road.

“This team had a great year on and off the field and they played like a family,” Hollar said. “To finish 21st in the country says a lot for our program.”

LRU had eight players on the All-SAC team, with Hollar earning SAC Coach of the Year. Junior Emily Kenley of Charlotte was the league’s Pitcher of the Year and Kylee Leonhardt of Lincolnton was SAC Freshman of the Year.

The Bears graduate four players, but return both starting pitchers and the majority of their starting lineup.

THE TOP 25 POLL: https://nfca.org/index.php?option=com_nfca&top25=1&list=1&year=201&pdiv=div2&Itemid=231

— Reported by LRU Sports Information

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *