DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Ranked 25th in NFCA Preseason Poll
1/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
NFCA Poll
CHICAGO - With less than 20 days away from the first pitch of the season, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released its annual preseason top 25 poll on Tuesday. The Blue Demons find themselves at No. 25 in the association's first poll of 2015.
DePaul is the lone member of the BIG EAST represented in the rankings and is coming off of a 44-11 campaign from a season ago and finished No. 24 in the last NFCA poll of 2014.
The Blue Demons, despite not having a ranked matchup in league play, meet some of top competition in the non-conference portion of their schedule. DePaul encounters four teams in the preseason poll who are ranked or are receiving votes this season.
DePaul kicks off its season with a duel in Honolulu with No. 4 Oklahoma on Feb. 5. The Blue Demons could see the Sooners twice during the five-game classic, hosted by Hawaii. DePaul also tangles with former BIG EAST rival, No. 22 Notre Dame, in South Bend, Ind. on April 21.
Two teams who are receiving votes in Louisville and Northwestern meet up with the Blue Demons this season. The Cardinals come to Lincoln Park for a double-header on April 8, while DePaul travels to Northwestern for a one-game showdown on April 29.
Head coach Eugene Lenti will toe the coach's box for the 34th season with hopes of returning to the NCAA Tournament for the 19th time in program history. Lenti and the Blue Demons open the season at the Hawaii Paradise Classic, Feb. 5-7.
The first home game for DePaul is on March 18 when it hosts North Dakota State for a 4 p.m. tilt.
