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![Lakehawk Softball Recognized in 2025 NJCAA Preseason Poll [Athletics]](https://www.lssc.edu/wp-content/uploads/ATH_Softball-preseason-poll.png)
This article originally appeared on LakehawkSports.com.
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) released the 2025 NJCAA DII Softball Preseason Poll on Tuesday afternoon. Lakehawk Softball received votes (RV) on the national poll.
Lake-Sumter accompanies St. Johns River State College (SJRSC) on the list who was ranked unanimously in the No. 1 spot after winning the NJCAA Championship in 2024.
Also in the top-25 is No. 14 Central Alabama Community College (CACC) and No. 16 Marion Military Institute (MMI).
Lake-Sumter faced MMI in the first round of the 2024 NJCAA Division II South District Championship. The Tigers took the game to extras, defeating the Lakehawks 5-4 in nine innings.
The Lakehawks met CACC the next day in the loser’s bracket at the District Championship. Lake-Sumter’s season came to a close after an 11-3 loss to the Trojans.
Lake-Sumter softball concluded the 2024 season at a 30-20 overall record, the first time in program history the team has recorded back-to-back 30-win seasons.
This year, the team returns 11 sophomores, including three pitchers, Kaitlyn Duquette, Savannah Ellis, and Amy Bak, who posted 21-19 record on the mound last season.
Head coach Jay Miller entering his 10th season leading the Lakehawks shared his thoughts, “This is the third year we have found ourselves on somewhere on the NJCAA DII Softball Poll and that is a testament to our players and this program. I believe it is also validation that the rest of the country is taking notice of Region 8 softball.”
“Two years ago, we made noise in the District Championship by ending a 56-game win streak and falling to the No. 2 team in the nation in extra innings, barely missing trip to the world series. Last year, a team from our conference, SJRSC, went on to win the NJCAA Championship; people are taking notice,” said Coach Miller.
Lakehawk Softball opens the 2025 season with a double header against Seminole State on Saturday before diving into a challenging Sun-Lakes Conference regular season schedule mid-February. Lake-Sumter and SJRSC first matchup comes on Saturday, Mar. 1 with a double header at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
All home games will be livestreamed and can be found here.