By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Release from Eastern Oregon University) Eastern Oregon Softball has achieved national recognition in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, being selected as the No. 24 ranked softball team in the nation. This marks a significant accomplishment for the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers, further solidifying their status as a formidable contender in the 2024 softball season.
In addition to this recognition, other Cascade Collegiate Conference members also received notable rankings in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Oregon Tech maintains its strong position as the top-ranked team in the nation, Southern Oregon University stands at No. 2, and College of Idaho is ranked at No. 13. Today’s national ranking come just one day after the CCC unveiled its 2024 Softball Preseason Poll, containing a similar rankings based on last season’s results.
In her fourth season as Eastern Oregon’s Mountaineer Softball head coach in 2024, Nicole Christian led the team to maintain a national ranking, finish with a 33-19 record, and secure fourth place at the CCC tournament. The team is set to face challenges with the departure of key starters, but they have the returning all-conference leaders Maddy Stateler, Kaylie Hoskins, and Hannah Tyree. The season begins on Feb. 3 with a road game against Simpson University in Redding, Calif.