North Laurel Pre-season #5
March 21, 2011
By Jaguar Fan of North Laurel High SchoolThree-time defending 13th Region champion North Laurel received two first place votes and is ranked No. 5 in the state, according to the Coaches' Preseason Softball Poll.
Shane Weaver's squad posted a 34-11 record last season, while going 3-2 in the KHSAA Fastpitch State Softball Tournament, but will have to find a replacement for pitcher Megan Taylor, who graduated this past season.
South Laurel (34-7 last season), who is now being led by first-year coach James Burns, comes in at No. 23.
The Lady Cardinals will have to find a replacement for Miss Softball Emily Gaines, who graduated this past season and is now playing for the University of Kentucky.
Louisville Mercy (33-13-1) will enter the season as the No. 1 ranked team, while defending state champion Reidland (38-6) will come in as the No. 8 ranked team, while garnering four first place votes.
Coaches' Preseason
Softball Poll
1. Mercy (11) 415
2. Christian Co. (7) 363
3. Allen Co. (5) 336
4. Owe. Cath (2) 310
5. North Laurel (2) 266
6. Lafayette 248
7. Ballard (1) 247
8. Reidland (4) 237
9. Meade Co. 172
10. Green Co. 147
11. Scott Co. 119
12. Butler Co. 92
13. Ryle 89
14. Marshall Co. 80
15. Greenwood 69
16. PRP 57
17. Heath 41
18. Franklin Co. 40
19. Butler 37
20. Ashland 30
21. Eastern 28
22. Male 21
23. Lexington Catholic 20
23. South Laurel 20
25. Western Hills 18
Others receiving votes: Clark County 13, Henry Clay 12, Fern Creek 12, Barren Co. 10, Manual 10, Oldham County 10, Calloway Co. 8, Johnson Central 8, Montgomery Co. 8, Glasgow 7, Grayson Co. 7, Edmonson Co. 6, Dixie Heights 4, Dunbar 4, Hopkins Central 4, Bullitt East 3, Union Co. 3, Muhlenberg Co. 2, Lone Oak 2, Central Hardin 2, Shelby County 3, Henry County 2, Anderson County 2, Boone Co. 2, North Hardin 2.
