COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The NJCAA Division 1 Preseason Poll is out with defending national champion Yavapai College (Ariz.) in the top spot.  Wallace State Community College – Hanceville (Ala.) finds itself in the number two spot with Blinn College (Texas) hot on their heels in the third spot.  Rounding out the top five are Indian River State College (Fla.) and Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Defending national champion Yavapai College takes the top spot at the beginning of the 2010 season.  Yavapai is returning two starters and six players overall including NJCAA All-American pitcher Audrey Workman.  Workman threw 193.33 innings for the Roughriders last season with an astounding 1.45 ERA and a 30-3 record.  It will be difficult for opposing teams this year with her in the circle.  The offense will be paced this year by second baseman Ashley Snedeker who hit .418 with four homeruns, 37 RBI’s and 24 stolen bases.

Wallace State CC - Hanceville returns this year in search of a national title after a disappointing loss in the title game last year to Yavapai College.  They are led by head coach Jane Clem, who in her ten years at Wallace State has put together a record of 488-130.  She has many weapons to choose from this year as the Lions will return four starters and 12 players overall including two NJCAA All-Americans.  Leading the way on the mound for the Lions this year will be NJCAA All-American Kelsey Dennis who put together an incredible year in 2009 with a record of 34-4.  Dennis threw 249.1 innings, had an ERA of 0.84, struck out 340 and only walked 36 batters.  NJCAA All-American Stephanie Needham will supply the power in the lineup after she had a standout year that included a batting average of .457 with 15 homeruns and 71 RBI’s.  

A very young Blinn College team comes in at the number three spot.  The Buccaneers will return one starter and only three players from last year’s team that went 56-11.  The rest of the 2010 roster is composed of a strong freshman class.  Of the returning players is pitcher Kirsten Shed threw 65.1 innings last year with a 2.25 ERA and a record of 10-0.  Another strong returning player is third baseman/catcher Britni Wells. Wells hit .346 with seven homeruns, 45 RBI’s and had seven stolen bases in 2009.

At number four is Indian River State College.  Coach Dale Atkinson is returning five starters and ten players overall from a team that went 46-11 last year.  Leading the Pioneers in offense is Carly Speeron who hit .325 with 15 homeruns, 45 RBI’s and 19 stolen bases.  In addition to the returning players, the Pioneers are adding some strength from their incoming freshman and transfer player Mary Huff. 

FSC @ Jacksonville will start right where they left off in 2009 in the fifth spot nationally.  The Stars return a strong group of players including seven starters and 11 players overall from a team that finished with a record of 47-20.  They return with a high powered offense led by four players who finished the season hitting well above .300.  The pitching staff is strong as well with two pitchers who had ERA’s below 2.00. 

Note: Preseason rankings are based off media guide forms submitted by member colleges.