KIRKLAND – Northwest is picked to finish 10^th of 11 teams in the Cascade Collegiate Conference preseason coaches' poll released Tuesday.
 
NU finished ninth in the conference last season and was picked behind a British Columbia team that was unable to play last season.
 
"This poll is not a reflection of where we will finish," said NU Head Coach Pam Fink. "It's only a starting point that in no way is going to determine how our season will go. It has been a full team effort this fall. Each player has given their best. They are ready to compete and be better than yesterday. We will battle and fight every single game."

Northwest returns eight starting position players and two starting pitchers from last season. 
 
The Eagles are scheduled to begin the season with five games in Allen, Texas, at the NAIA Winter Invitational Feb. 11-13.
 
Oregon Tech is picked first in the poll, followed by College of Idaho, Southern Oregon, Corban, Eastern Oregon, Warner Pacific, Carroll, British Columbia, Bushnell, NU, and Providence.