DENVER – (Jan. 31) Andie Larkins of Seattle University softball has been named 2018 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Preseason Pitcher of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday. The Redhawks were voted to finish third in the preseason coaches’ poll.
Larkins was voted Preseason Pitcher of the Year after earning All-WAC Second Team recognition last season. The native of Tucson, Ariz., won 12 games and pitched 200.1 innings in 2017. She posted 20 complete games, including a pair in the WAC Championship, leading the Redhawks to their first-ever appearance in the conference title game. Larkins was selected to the WAC’s All-Tournament Team for her efforts.
The senior set six Division I program records in 2017-complete games (20), wins (12), strikeouts (95), starts (30), appearances (39), and innings pitched (200.1). Larkins is the first Redhawk to take one of the major preseason honors since SU joined the WAC for the 2013 season.
Joining Larkins on the Preseason All-WAC Team was Kaylee Ree. The junior second baseman started all 52 games in 2017, pacing SU with a .441 on-base percentage. The Gresham, Ore., native hit .327 with 27 runs batted in. She led the team with 28 walks and also scored 34 runs. In 15 WAC outings, Ree recorded a .508 on-base percentage.
Grand Canyon, in its first season of postseason eligibility, was voted to win the WAC, earning 24 points and four first-place votes. Defending WAC champion New Mexico State was picked second with 22 points and the other two first-place nods. SU checked in at third with 16 points. Utah Valley (14), Kansas City (8), and CSU Bakersfield (6) rounded out the preseason poll.
Seattle U, in its third year under Coach Geoff Hirai, opens the regular season on Friday, Feb. 9, at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona.