Alva Review-Courier -

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns softball team will enter the 2017 season ranked No. 11 in the nation, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced on Wednesday.

The Golden Suns' historic 2016 campaign featured several new program standards, including a program-best 49-11 record, the program's first outright Great American Conference championship, and the program's first time hosting NCAA Regional and Super Regional competition.

Tech brings back a strong pitching staff that finished eighth in Division II in earned run average, led by senior Jalissa Gum. The Red Rock, Okla. native led the NCAA (all divisions) with a 0.60 ERA, and was named the GAC's Pitcher of the Year in addition to consensus All-Region and All-America honors. Gum was honored as the GAC's Female Athlete of the Year this past summer for her performances on and off the field.

Along with Gum, Tech brings back three all-GAC performers with junior pitcher Morgan Vaughan and sophomore shortstop Sarah Coronado making their return to the roster after each finished the 2016 season with All-GAC Second Team accolades.

Vaughan closed out her sophomore campaign with a 15-1 record and a 2.11 ERA, the fourth lowest in the GAC while also finishing in the top 10 of the conference in opposing batting average (.233), strikeouts (97), and wins (15).

Coronado is coming off an incredibly strong all-around freshman season, finishing her 2016 campaign with a .315 batting average while leading the team with 16 stolen bases. Coronado was also strong in the field with a .934 fielding percentage and finished eighth in the GAC with 11 double plays.

Tech will have a young, but experienced team to build around in 2017 as the Golden Suns only bring back two senior pitchers in Gum and Sydnee Clark. Many key underclassmen make their return to this year's lineup, including junior utility player Janie Knowles, sophomore infielders Gaby Vasquez and Megan Goodnight as well as sophomore outfielder Sydnie Henson. The Suns have six new faces on this year's roster with a junior transfer and five freshmen that will make their debut for Tech this year.

The Suns will open the season on Friday, February 3 at the Southeastern Oklahoma Regional Tournament. Tech will face Central Missouri and Emporia State on the opening day of the tournament.