SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State softball was picked to finish in a tie as the runners-up in the Summit League in 2022 in a preseason poll of the league’s eight head coaches, the league office announced Wednesday. 

The Bison have won two of the last three regular season crowns and six of the last seven league tournament titles. NDSU had one first-place vote and finished tied for second on 38 points with Kansas City. 

South Dakota State, the defending Summit League Tournament champion, was a unanimous first-place selection, receiving seven first-place votes and a maximum 49 points. Behind NDSU and Kansas City came Omaha, South Dakota, North Dakota, Western Illinois and Summit League newcomer St. Thomas rounded out the poll.

NDSU junior right-handed pitcher Lainey Lyle and senior catcher Avery Wysong were among the Summit League preseason players to watch. 

Lyle, a 2021 All-Summit League Second Team selection, made 14 appearances last season with a 3.18 ERA. The Middleton, Idaho native tossed a no hitter against South Dakota and recorded six wins in 19.1 innings pitched. 

Wysong, also a 2021 All-Summit League Second Team selection, started 39 games last year, hitting .278 with a team high eight doubles and eight home runs. She also led the Bison with 27 RBI.

The Bison are slated to begin the season on Friday in Santa Barbara, California with games against Utah State and at UC Santa Barbara.

North Dakota State will open up league play on March 26-27 with a trip to South Dakota. The first Bison home games are slated for April 9-10 against Kansas City.

The Summit League Tournament will be hosted by South Dakota State and will be held on May 11-14 in Brookings, S.D.