Ball State University Athletics
Softball Picked To Finish Second In MAC West
February 03, 2015 | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - The Ball State softball team, winner of five of the past six Mid-American Conference regular season championships, has been picked to finish second in the MAC West Division in the league's annual preseason coaches poll.
Central Michigan edged out Ball State for the top spot in the division by picking up six first place votes, compared to five for the Cardinals. Northern Illinois earned the final first place vote in the division and was selected third, followed by Western Michigan, Toledo and Eastern Michigan.
Ohio earned eight of the 12 first place votes to win the MAC East Division, while Kent State (2) was picked second, followed by Akron (1), Buffalo (1), Miami and Bowling Green.
The Bobcats were also chosen as the favorite to defend their 2014 MAC Tournament Title, earning five of the 10 votes casted for the league's championship event. The Cardinals garnered two votes to win the tournament title, while Akron, Buffalo and Central Michigan each earned one.
The Ball State softball team opens the 2015 season Friday, when it battles South Dakota at 2:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. CT at the 2015 Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn. Ball State will play all four of its games in the event at Lipscomb's Draper Diamond.
2015 MAC Softball Preseason Poll
MAC East Division
1. Ohio (8 first place votes)
2. Kent State (2)
3. Akron (1)
4. Buffalo (1)
5. Miami
6. Bowling Green
MAC West Division
1. Central Michigan (6)
2. Ball State (5)
3. Northern Illinois (1)
4. Western Michigan
5. Toledo
6. Eastern Michigan
MAC Tournament Champion: Ohio (5), Ball State (2), Akron (1), Buffalo (1), Central Michigan (1)
