COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) announced the 2024 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll today that saw the Black Hills State University softball team selected to finish tied for 11
th by the league's head coaches in the first season at the helm for head coach
Ashlyn Englehorn.
"The RMAC is a great conference, and we are ready to compete and build on what we've been working on," noted Englehorn. "Last season isn't a reflection of this year's team, and we expect to continue to build and be in the mix week in and week out!"
The Yellow Jackets enter the 2024 season after an 8-36 record last season, seeing a pair of RMAC All-Conference performers in Second Team All-RMAC
Kayla Tuschen (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Honorable Mention All-RMAC
Kayla Lee (Sr., Kearney, Neb.). Returning for her senior season, Tuschen was the main arm in the circle for Black Hills State a season ago. She led the team in appearances (22), innings pitched (127.0), and ERA (4.35), while also throwing eight complete games in her 11 starts. Lee returns after sitting fourth in the RMAC a season ago with her 27 stolen bases, swiping bags at an 87% clip (27-for-31). She also sat 11
th in the league with her .360 batting average, starting 41 of the 44 Yellow Jacket games.
"We are returning two All-Conference selections, along with 5-year starter,
Gianna Haley; we are also excited to add great talent in freshmen,
Laci Peskey," commented Englehorn. "At the end of the day, it's all about who we are going to be as a team and who shows up on game day."
Coming off their second-straight RMAC tournament championship and a 2023 regular season title, the Cougars of Colorado Christian were selected by the league's head coaches to repeat as RMAC champions in 2024. The Cougars took eight of the 12 first-place votes for 117 team points in the poll. The full results of the poll can be found on the RMAC website which is linked above.
The 2024 Yellow Jacket season commences on Friday, February 2 at the Kelly Laas Invitational in St. Cloud, Minn., hosted by St. Cloud State University (Minn.). Black Hills State will play a total of five games at the invitational, running through Sunday, February 4.
