Ball State University Athletics
Softball Picked to Finish First in MAC West
February 09, 2011 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State earned top billing alongside Miami in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Tuesday.
The Cardinals are led by fifth-year head coach Craig Nicholson, assistant coach Stephanie DeFeo and graduate assistant coach Lyndsay Mouse. In 2010, the Cardinals amassed an overall record of 43-16 and 17-5 mark in MAC play as they claimed the regular season co-championship, the program's second tournament title and an appearance in the NCAA championships.
The Cardinals are led by the return of four all-MAC players in seniors Lisa Rozanski (Tampa, Fla./Daytona Beach CC), Alicia Barkley (Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam City) and Kate Wilczynski (Tucson, Ariz./Canyon Del Oro) and junior Amanda Montalto (Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde).
Ball State opens the 2011 season against Belmont February 19 at 9 a.m. as part of the two-day Austin Peay Tournament. Catch all of the Cardinals' home games at the BSU Softball Complex, starting Thursday, March 24 at 3 p.m. against the Dayton Flyers in a double-header.
West Division (number of first place votes)
|
1. |
Ball State (7) |
|
2. |
Central Michigan (4) |
|
3. |
Northern Illinois (1) |
|
4. |
Western Michigan |
|
5. |
Eastern Michigan |
|
6. |
Toledo |
East Division (number of first place votes)
|
1. |
Miami (5) |
|
2. |
Ohio (4) |
|
3. |
Kent State (3) |
|
4. |
Bowling Green |
|
5. |
Buffalo |
|
6. |
Akron |
2011 MAC Tournament Winner - Miami (7)
(Also receiving votes Ball State (3),
Ohio (1), Kent State (1))
