Wildcats Selected No. 11 in Preseason NAIA Coaches’ Top-25 Poll

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Coming off a 2023 season that saw them reach the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history, the Baker softball team was ranked No. 11 in the Preseason NAIA Softball Coaches' Top-25 Poll.

The Wildcats will look to follow up a historic season from last spring where they matched the program record in wins after going 47-12 and made the team's first appearance in the NAIA World Series in school history. Baker went 21-5 in conference play and earned a share of the Heart of America Conference Regular Season Championship.

Baker entered the national rankings last season after winning 13 of its first 15 games to jump all the way to No. 10 in its debut and went on to peak at No. 4 to mark BU's highest ranking in the NAIA poll. The Wildcats made their third NAIA appearance in the past five years and hosted the Opening Round that saw them knock off No. 6 College of Idaho to punch their ticket to Columbus, Ga.

Entering their first season under new head coach Sam White, the Wildcats return three all-conference selections to their 2024 roster, including sophomore Kira Baker who was an NAIA First Team All-American and was named NFCA Freshman of the Year after going 24-3 in the circle with six no-hitters and two perfect games. Savannah Bray joined Baker on the Heart's First Team All-Conference, while Mary Grace Hess earned honorable mention honors. Baker and Bray were also NFCA All-Region selections last year.

Fellow Heart schools Central Methodist, Grand View and Mount Mercy joined Baker in the national poll with the Eagles coming in at No. 8 and the Vikings and Mustangs receiving votes.

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