LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- The Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs have been voted No. 7 in the nation in the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association preseason rankings.

The Bulldogs finished the 2016 season with a 43-5 overall record and 23-1 in conference play. Texas Lutheran also finished as the runner-up at the NCAA Division III Tyler Regional, falling just short to the region's host and eventual national champion, University of Texas-Tyler.

Last year's squad set new TLU marks for: batting average (.384), slugging percentage (.544), on-base percentage (.449), stolen bases (164-for-178), doubles (104), home runs (25), and walks (149). The Bulldogs led NCAA DIII in on-base percentage.

The Bulldogs lose seven players off that record-breaking squad.

The Bulldogs of 2017 return two of their six NFCA All-West Region selections from a year ago. Designated player Nicole Snow was a Second Team All-West Region selection, and Kaymee Gooden was named to the All-West Region Third Team.

TLU also returns starting pitcher Amanda Lochte, who posted a career-best 14-1 record and made a career-high 21 appearances in 2016. She tossed eight shutouts and combined on one other shutout. She pitched 94 innings and allowed just 17 earned runs. Lochte struck out 68 and walked just 11.
 
Lochte, an All-SCAC Second Team selection, was the winning pitcher at the NCAA DIII Tyler Regional win over East Texas Baptist that sent TLU to the regional final.

In addition to Lochte, Gooden and Snow, the Bulldogs return position starters Brayden Pinckard (outfield) and Kirsten Whiteside (outfield/infield), starter and relief pitcher Samantha Yenne, and key utility player Lainey Hebert.

The Bulldogs begin their 2017 season Saturday with a doubleheader at the University of Texas-Dallas.