Ball State University Athletics
Softball Picked to Finish Second in the MAC West
February 11, 2016 | Softball
MUNCIE, Ind. - - If the 2016 Mid-American Conference preseason poll is any indication of how the league's season will play out, then it's sure to be an interesting year for the Ball State softball program and MAC softball in general.
In the league's annual preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's 12 head coaches, Ball State was one of six teams to pick up at least one vote to win the MAC Regular Season Championship and one of seven teams to earn at least one vote to capture the MAC Tournament Championship. In addition, the Cardinals were selected to finish second in the MAC West Division with three first place votes, trailing only Central Michigan who garnered seven first-place tallies.
The four-time defending MAC West Division Champions and defending MAC Tournament Champions, Ball State has been picked to finish second in the MAC West behind Central Michigan each of the last two seasons. The Cardinals were last picked to win the division in the 2013 preseason poll.
Trailing CMU and Ball State in the MAC West prognostication are Northern Illinois (two first-place votes), Western Michigan, Toledo and Eastern Michigan.
Miami is the favorite to win the MAC East, despite picking up just three first-place votes. Ohio and Kent State follow in second and third, respectively, with four first-place votes apiece. Akron was tabbed fourth, followed by Buffalo (one first-place vote) and Bowling Green.
Ohio earned four votes to lock up the MAC regular season title, edging out five other teams. Central Michigan and Kent State each received three votes to capture the MAC Tournament Championship, while five other teams earned at least one vote.
The Ball State softball team opens the 2016 season Friday at the Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Alabama. On the first day of the three-day tournament, the Cardinals will play 11th-ranked Louisiana Lafayette (4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT) and Louisiana Tech (7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT).
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
MAC East Division
1. Miami (3)
2. Ohio (4)
3. Kent State (4)
4. Akron
5. Buffalo (1)
6. Bowling Green
MAC West Division
1. Central Michigan (7)
2. Ball State (3)
3. Northern Illinois (2)
4. Western Michigan
5. Toledo
6. Eastern Michigan
MAC Regular Season Predicted Champion: Ohio (4) (Central Michigan 3, Kent State 2, Ball State 1, Buffalo 1, Northern Illinois 1)
MAC Tournament Predicted Champion: Central Michigan & Kent State (3) (Ohio 2, Akron 1, Ball State 1, Buffalo 1, Toledo 1)
- BallStateSports.com –
