KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Oklahoma City University has been ranked third in the NAIA according to preseason softball ratings.

The Stars closed out last season 53-9 and fourth in the NAIA Championships. OCU has been favored to win the Sooner Athletic Conference.

OCU returns five starters and eight letter winners from last year's team. Amanda Howard, a senior from Strathmore, Alberta, Canada, hit .436 with 26 home runs, 58 RBIs and 13 stolen bases in becoming the NAIA player of the year in 2009.

“We will have more seniors in this class than we have ever had,” OCU coach Phil McSpadden said. “We will be stronger in some areas. If Amanda just comes close to doing the same thing and everyone else picks up their game, I will feel good about our possibilities for duplicating last season's results.”

Ashley Wilburn highlights the pitching staff. Wilburn, a senior from Gilmer, Texas, went 24-4 with a 1.12 earned run average. She struck out 265 in 205.1 innings pitched in becoming a second-team NAIA all-American.

OCU also returns all-conference performers in infielder Jen Davis and pitcher-infielder Lily LaVelle, the latter of whom was the SAC freshman of the year.

Defending national champion California Baptist garnered the top spot, while Dickinson State (N.D.) is ranked second. Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) tied with OCU for the third spot in the rankings, and conference rival Lubbock Christian (Texas) is ranked fifth.
To see the complete rankings, click here.