By Madyson Montoya — Managing Editor
Confidence is a major factor in success.
The San Jose State softball team has been given a recent confidence boost as it was picked first in the Mountain West preseason poll.
Out of the nine coaches present from each team, the Spartans received two first-place votes and totaled 53 points.
The biggest competition in this poll was San Diego State as they did have one more first-place vote but only got 50 points total.
It is going to be a long 25 game preseason for SJSU softball and this confidence is just what they need after losing some key seniors from last year.
Infielder Madison Aurin and catcher Alyssa Avila are big names in need of replacement this season. Aurin was one of the top hitters for the Spartans and Avila started behind the plate in 33 of the 41 games last season.
Nonetheless, SJSU does have some returners that are capable of making a huge impact in the 2020 season and are the reason why SJSU is picked at No. 1 in preseason play.
Cassidy Clark
Clark is in her fourth season now and has without a doubt made her name known during her time as a Spartan. She was the second base started in all 49 games her sophomore season back in 2018.
After three years she ranks third in the program in on base percentage with a .474 and is coming into 2020 as the MW Co-Defensive player of the year.
Jenessa Ullegue
Ullegue was a star pitcher for SJSU in her freshman season last year. She was named 2019 MW Pitcher of the Year.
Her stats speak for themselves as she recorded a 1.85 ERA pitching 136.1 innings. Ullegue also knows how to hit the ball and can be of overall use to the Spartans in 2020.
Caroline Bowman
The junior is another strong pitcher for the Spartans. Last season she was recognized as a second team honoree but her biggest strength is going to be her experience.
She has experience on the mound and pitched a no-hitter against the University of Massachusetts Lowell in March 2019.
These three players are solid components to the program and there are only six freshman who will have to adjust to collegiate ball.
It is no surprise that SJSU softball is picked as the top team for the preseason. It is coming off two devastating years of finishing second in conference.
They have the makeup and it shouldn’t be difficult to manifest the poll into reality. The first pitch of the Spartan’s season will be in Fullerton, Calif for the Titan Classic on Feb. 7.
Follow Madyson on Twitter @MadysonMontoya