The Bemidji State University softball team was voted to finish eighth in the 2017 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The ranking marks the first time the Beavers have been tabbed in the top eight since the league adopted 16 teams in 2013.

Defending 2016 NSIC Champions, Minnesota State University, Mankato was a unanimous selection as the preseason favorite (coaches cannot vote for their own team). University of Minnesota Duluth was voted in at second while Winona State University, Augustana University and University of Sioux Falls were selected to third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Bemidji State will kick-off the 2017 season on Feb. 27-28 when they travel to West St. Paul, Minn., to co-host the Dragon-Beaver Battle with Minnesota State University, Moorhead at the West St. Paul Dome.