Local Roundup: Pacific softball predicted 4th in WCC preseason poll

The college softball season has not yet started. But the Pacific Tigers have already earned some recognition around the West Coast Conference.

The WCC announced its predictions for the 2019 softball season, forecasting a fourth-place finish for Pacific with 14 votes.

Junior utility player Hailey Reed and sophomore second baseman Talli Shepherd earned a spot on the Preseason All-WCC team as well.

Last season, Reed had a .307 batting average and scored a team-high 33 runs. She also threw 75.2 innings from the pitcher’s circle, collecting a team-leading 55 strikeouts.

For Shepherd, the Tigers became the eighth freshman in Pacific history to be named to an All-First team last season. She hit .312…