Griz picked fifth in preseason poll

The Montana softball team was picked fifth out of seven teams in the Big Sky Conference preseason coaches' poll that was announced on Monday morning.

Weber State, Portland State and Sacramento State all collected first-place votes and held down the top three spots in the poll.

The Wildcats have won outright or shared every regular-season title since 2016 while going 73-22 in league. Weber State won last year's title with a 15-3 Big Sky record.

Portland State was the No. 5 seed at last spring's Big Sky tournament in Ogden but went unbeaten to win its first championship since 2013.

Sacramento State has finished in the top four in the standings every season since 2013, the first year of Big Sky softball, and won regular-season and tournament titles in 2018.

Southern Utah, which ended Montana's season at the Big Sky tournament in May and lost to Portland State in the championship series, was picked fourth in the poll.

The Grizzlies, who tied for third in the Big Sky last spring behind Weber State and Southern Utah, were picked fifth, followed by Northern Colorado and Idaho State.

Idaho State is the only team under a first-year head coach. Andrew Rich was previously the associate head coach at Boise State.

Montana returns three players who were voted All-Big Sky last season. Cami Sellers, at first base, was voted first team. Kylie Becker, third base, and Maygen McGrath, shortstop, were named second team.

Jaxie Klucewich, left field, was honorable mention.

Montana will open its season next week at the Nor Cal Kickoff, hosted by Sacramento State and UC Davis. The Grizzlies will face San Jose State and Saint Mary's on Friday, Feb. 11, in Sacramento.

Montana will play Saint Mary's and UC Davis on Saturday, Feb. 12, in Davis and Santa Clara on Sunday, Feb. 13, in Sacramento.

2022 Big Sky Conference Preseason Poll
1. Weber State (4) … 34
2. Portland State (2) … 28
3. Sacramento State (1) … 25
4. Southern Utah … 22
5. Montana … 19
6. Northern Colorado … 10
7. Idaho State … 9

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Kylie Becker

Jaxie Klucewich

Maygen McGrath

Cami Sellers

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