The Hope College softball team placed third in the 2017 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association preseason coaches poll.
The Flying Dutch received one first-place vote and totaled 50 points. They finished behind reigning MIAA champion Alma (eight first-place votes and 64 points) and second-place Trine (55 points).
Coach Mary VandeHoef and Hope return 14 letterwinners from a team that posted a 23-18 overall record and a third-place mark of 11-5 in MIAA play. The Flying Dutch qualified for the MIAA Tournament.
Outfielder Sammi Adams of Griffith, Indiana (Griffith HS), pitcher Maddie Bellew of Jackson, Michigan (Jackson), and infielder Katrina Ellis of Goodrich, Michigan (Goodrich) are the three seniors on Hope's roster of 23. There are seven juniors, five sophomores and eight freshmen.
Hope's season opener is scheduled for Saturday, March 4 at Manchester, Indiana.
POLL
1. Alma (8 first-place votes) - 64 points
2. Trine - 55 points
3. Hope (1 first-place vote) - 50 points
4. Calvin - 39 points
5. Saint Mary's - 37 points
6. Kalamazoo - 27 points
7. Adrian - 25 points
8. Olivet - 18 points
9. Albion - 9 points
