Tiffin University was picked third in the GMAC preseason coaches poll, as the Dragons prepare for the upcoming 2020 softball season.

The Dragons totaled 115 points along with one first-place vote, trailing Ohio Dominican (136 with nine 1st place votes) and Trevecca Nazarene (121 with one first-place vote). A total of 13 teams will be competing in Great Midwest competition this season.

The Dragons are coming off a season in which they finished 30-17 overall, 18-8 in GMAC play. It was a strong season overall, as Tiffin finished 2nd in the GMAC in ERA with a 3.03 mark and 5th in batting (.304). They also led the conference in walks with 125 and were 2nd in on-base percentage (.372). Their 217 strikeouts as a pitching staff were also 3rd overall.

Leading the attack will be Second Team NFCA Midwest Region pick Hayley Kobie. Kobie, also a First Team All GMAC pick, batted .383 with 11 doubles and 27 RBI, while First Team pick Chloe Swaisgood (.325) also returns. Brooke Lambert brings a .327 average back along with 30 RBI and 11 doubles, while Heidi Marshall (.279, 23 RBI) and Gabrielle Hess (27 RBI) also return.

Both of TU's starters from last year return, as Second Team selection Sarah Klein and Victoria Edwards look to continue last year's trend. Klein finished with a 17-11 mark with 2 saves, a 2.49 ERA, and 129 strikeouts. Edwards was also solid with a 13-6 mark and a 3.28 ERA.

Tiffin will also get help from a number of new faces this seasons. Brooklynn Esser returns from injury after hitting .417 last year in 5 games, while freshman All-State pitcher Shelbey Spurlock will join the pitchers to deepen an already talented staff.

"Expectations are high for our team this year," said Head Coach Jeff Nickerson. "We look forward to getting on the field and playing the game."

Tiffin opens its 2020 season with five games at the Music City Showdown Feb. 14-16.