INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – On Thursday, the Horizon League announced the results of its 2022 #HLSB Preseason Poll with Oakland University Softball predicted to take this year's crown.

With two first-place votes, Oakland is in first with 82 points ahead of Youngstown State in second with 81 and five first-place votes. University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) was picked third ahead of Robert Morris in fourth with 74 points (two first-place votes) and 62 points, respectively. 

Green Bay, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) followed suit in fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively, as Detroit Mercy sat above Cleveland State and Purdue Fort Wayne to round out the poll. 

Last year, Oakland finished second in the Horizon League regular season with a 23-11 conference record and a 26-16 overall record to the team's credit as the squad fell in the Horizon League tournament to champion UIC 4-3. 

OU will open the season on Friday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m. in Orlando, Florida against #17 James Madison University in the Knights Classic hosted by University of Central Florida (UCF).

2022  #HLSB Preseason Poll
Pl.    Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1.     Oakland – 82 (2)
2.     Youngstown State – 81 (5)
3.     UIC – 74 (2)
4.     RMU – 62
5.     Green Bay – 49
6.     Northern Kentucky – 39
7.     IUPUI – 32
8.     Detroit Mercy – 29
9.     Cleveland State – 25
10.    Purdue Fort Wayne – 22