Burnsville, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2022 Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll earlier today with the Northern State University Wolves picked tenth. NSU tallied 108 points in the vote.
 
The Northern State University softball team opens the 2022 season under the direction of first year head coach Ashley Schilling and will christen the brand new Koehler Hall of Fame Field. The Wolves went 23-20 overall in 2021 and 13-13 in the NSIC, qualifying for the league tournament. Northern went 1-2 from the NSIC tournament with a win over Concordia-St. Paul in the losers' bracket.
 
The 2022 season brings a blank slate for the NSU program after a coaching change and graduating a large senior class. The Wolves return four starting position players and one starting pitcher from a season ago, welcoming six fresh faces.
 
Reagan Elrod and Avarie Eagle were tabbed as the team's pitcher and player to watch for the 2022 season and will suit up for the first time in their Northern State careers. NSU opens the year at the West Texas A&M Tournament February 18-20 and will kick off the NSIC season at home on March 29th versus MSU Moorhead.
 
Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll

1	Augustana (15)	225
2	Minnesota State (1)	209
3	Winona State	198
4	Minnesota Duluth	176
5	St. Cloud State	162
6	Concordia-St. Paul	160
7	Minot State	135
8	Southwest Minnesota State	128
9	Sioux Falls	117
10	Northern State	108
11	Upper Iowa	83
12	Bemidji State	62
13	University of Mary	58
14	MSU Moorhead	37
15	Wayne State	33
16	Minnesota Crookston	29