The Butler softball team was picked to finish first in the 2024 KJCCC Division I preseason coaches' poll that was released Thursday.
Butler is coming off its seventh straight Region VI championship and eighth consecutive Plains District Championship in 2023. The Grizzlies finished 46-12 overall and 28-4 in conference play on the season, eventually advancing to the NJCAA World Series for a seventh straight season.
Head coach Morgan Bohanan begins her second season leading the Grizzlies after a successful first season at the helm. She is joined by assistant coach Megan Johnson (second season) who works with the pitchers, as well as new assistant coach Kimber Cortemelia (first season).
Butler was picked to win the league, with Hutchinson coming in second and Colby in third. Barton was picked to finish fourth, followed up by Seward, Dodge City, Garden City, Pratt and lastly Northwest Tech.
There are eight returning players on the 2024 roster highlighted by Cady Dickey, JaKeyla McDaniel and Aly Hageman who all earned All-KJCCC honors in their freshman campaigns.
In the circle, Cheyenne Handsaker, Alyssa Mude and Lena Walter all return for Butler. Walter has the most experience having pitched 42.2 innings in 2023, posting a 4.27 ERA.
Butler will open its season in Texas, traveling to Galveston for the Galveston College Island Invitational with games on Jan. 26th and 27th. The season opener comes against Alvin CC on the 26th with a 10 a.m. first pitch.
2024 KJCCC Division 1 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Butler
2. Hutchinson
3. Colby
4. Barton
5. Seward County
6. Dodge City
7. Garden City
8. Pratt
9. Northwest Tech
