Oakland Tops 2022 #HLSB Preseason Poll
INDIANAPOLIS – Oakland finished atop the 2022 #HLSB Preseason Poll. The Golden Grizzlies earned 82 points and two first-place votes to earn the top spot in voting done by the League’s head coaches.
After a strong 2021 campaign, advancing to the #HLSB championship game, Oakland returns three All-League First Team position players in Cammie Brummitt, Lauren Griffith and Madison Jones, along with #HLSB First Team pitcher Sydney Campbell.
Youngstown State (81 points) was voted second in the poll, collecting five first-place votes. YSU was 28-8 in #HLSB play in 2021, earning the regular season title for the first time in program history. 2021 #HLSB Pitcher of the Year Elle Buffenbarger returns for the Penguins this season, along with Freshman of the Year Jillian Jakse and All-League First Team choice Nikki Saibene.
Coming in third place is UIC (74 points). The Flames won the 2021 championship after posting a 23-11 record in League play. UIC brings back All-League Second Team member Alannah Cran and All-Freshman Team honoree Dee Dee Caskey.
RMU earned 62 points in the poll to finish in fourth. The Colonials finished fourth in their first #HLSB season with a 20-14 League record. Green Bay (49 points) was voted fifth in the preseason poll followed by Northern Kentucky (39 points) in sixth.
IUPUI (32 points) and Detroit Mercy (29 points) round out the top eight in the voting. Cleveland State (25 points) and Purdue Fort Wayne (22 points) closed out the poll.
League teams begin nonconference competition on Friday, Feb. 11 before League play begins on Friday, March 11. The #HLSB championship will take place May 11-14.
2022 #HLSB Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Oakland – 82 (2)
2. Youngstown State – 81 (5)
3. UIC – 74 (2)
4. RMU – 62
5. Green Bay – 49
6. Northern Kentucky – 39
7. IUPUI – 32
8. Detroit Mercy – 29
9. Cleveland State – 25
10. Purdue Fort Wayne – 22