The University of Louisville softball team is ranked No. 21 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball and No. 22 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association preseason coaches’ polls.
U of L is coming off a record-setting 2009 season, posting a program-best 48-11 record and reaching its sixth consecutive NCAA regional. Louisville was a mainstay in the top 25 rankings and achieved a program-high ranking of 14th in both the NFCA and USA Softball polls and closed the season at No. 24 in the NFCA poll.
Eleven letterwinners and seven starters return from last year's team including All-American and 2009 BIG EAST Player of the Year senior catcher Melissa Roth and All-American senior pitcher Kristen Wadwell.
The Cards also welcome eight freshmen to the team. U of L will open the 2010 season Feb. 12-14 at the Marriott Tournament in Houston.
