Oklahoma City, Okla - The Lone Star Conference released the softball preseason poll earlier today, with the OC Eagles coming in at number three.
 
The Eagles also found themselves at number sixteen in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
 
Lone Star Conference
The reigning LSC champion, UT Tyler, was picked to retain the title with twenty-five first-place votes. West Texas A&M picked in second place with eleven first-place votes. Oklahoma Christian received three first-place votes and was picked to finish third in the conference.
 
Lubbock Christian comes in behind OC in fourth, followed by Cameron, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Angelo State, St. Mary's, St. Edward's, Texas Women's, Eastern New Mexico, Texas A&M International, Midwestern State, Western New Mexico, and UT Permian Basin.
 
Players to Watch
UT Tyler graduate student Courtney Plocheck received the votes for the LSC Preseason Player of the Year, and Texas Women's senior Alyssa LeBlanc received LSC Pitcher of the Year.
 
For the Eagles, senior shortstop Kristen Whitehouse was named the Eagles' LSC Player to Watch. Sophomore pitcher Jill Dickson was named the Eagles' LSC Pitcher to Watch.
 
Softball Season
The start date for NCAA Division II softball is February 2nd, and the Lone Star Conference play will begin February 16th, with teams to play a single round-robin schedule in a three-game series.
 
Oklahoma Christian Eagles

• Head Coach Shalee Rodriguez is entering her 3rd season at the helm for the Eagles. Rodriguez holds an overall record of 77-32.
• The Eagles fell short in the Lone Star Conference Championship, losing to UT Tyler 4-3.
• In the NCAA South Central Regional championship, OC battled with UT Tyler before the Patriots won to end the season.
• The Eagles Return 14 from last year's roster, including seven seniors. They were highlighted last year by sophomore pitcher Jill Dickson and senior shortstop Kristen Whitehouse, and look for big years from Grace Anderson, Kylie Janzen, 2022 All-American Aaliyah Brown, two-sport athlete Brooklin Bain, and Whitney Walde.
• The Eagles added three freshmen, including Karissa Fiegener, Haylee Monden, and Kallie Rupp, and sophomore transfer Presley Main. 

UP First
The Eagles will travel to Irvine, California to play in the Concordia Kick-Off Classic. OC will play in high-level competition over five games, facing teams from the western region of the country.