Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Don Rogers, Ball State University
Softball Picked to Finish Third in MAC Preseason Poll
February 05, 2020 | Softball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - - The Ball State softball program was picked to finish third in the 11-team Mid-American Conference regular season race as voted on by the league's head coaches in the 2020 MAC Preseason Poll.
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The Cardinals, who earned 90 total points and picked up a pair of first place votes, trailed only Miami (113 points / 4 first place votes) and Kent State (112 / 4) in the voting.
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The RedHawks and Golden Flashes each earned five votes to win the MAC Tournament title, with Ball State receiving the other vote.
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Rounding out the regular season poll were Ohio (86), Toledo (68 / 1), Central Michigan (66), Northern Illinois (65), Western Michigan (48), Bowling Green (32), Akron (25) and Buffalo (21).
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Ball State returns 15 of its 22 letterwinners from last season, including eight position starters, sophomore starting pitcher Tieghan Morio and closer Alyssa Rothwell. The Cardinals finished the 2019 season with a 34-20 overall record, including a 9-8 mark in MAC play. Morio was a second team All-MAC selection last season, while Rothwell led the nation with 14 saves. On offense, the team's top eight hitters return to the lineup, including first team All-MAC honoree junior infielder Stacy Payton.
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Ball State opens the 2020 season Friday, when it battles UTSA (3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT) and No. 8/10 Louisiana (5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT) as part of the Louisiana Classics hosted by the Ragin' Cajuns.
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For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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2020 MAC Softball Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Miami – 113 (4)
2. Kent State - 112Â (4)
3. Ball State - 90Â (2)
4. Ohio - 86Â
5. Toledo – 68 (1)
6. Central Michigan - 66
7. Northern Illinois - 65Â
8. Western Michigan – 48Â
9. Bowling Green – 32Â
10. Akron - 25
11. Buffalo - 21
2020 MAC Tournament Co-Champions: Miami (5), Kent State (5)
Also receiving votes: Ball State (1)
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The Cardinals, who earned 90 total points and picked up a pair of first place votes, trailed only Miami (113 points / 4 first place votes) and Kent State (112 / 4) in the voting.
Â
The RedHawks and Golden Flashes each earned five votes to win the MAC Tournament title, with Ball State receiving the other vote.
Â
Rounding out the regular season poll were Ohio (86), Toledo (68 / 1), Central Michigan (66), Northern Illinois (65), Western Michigan (48), Bowling Green (32), Akron (25) and Buffalo (21).
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Ball State returns 15 of its 22 letterwinners from last season, including eight position starters, sophomore starting pitcher Tieghan Morio and closer Alyssa Rothwell. The Cardinals finished the 2019 season with a 34-20 overall record, including a 9-8 mark in MAC play. Morio was a second team All-MAC selection last season, while Rothwell led the nation with 14 saves. On offense, the team's top eight hitters return to the lineup, including first team All-MAC honoree junior infielder Stacy Payton.
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Ball State opens the 2020 season Friday, when it battles UTSA (3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT) and No. 8/10 Louisiana (5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT) as part of the Louisiana Classics hosted by the Ragin' Cajuns.
Â
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSoftball.
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2020 MAC Softball Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Miami – 113 (4)
2. Kent State - 112Â (4)
3. Ball State - 90Â (2)
4. Ohio - 86Â
5. Toledo – 68 (1)
6. Central Michigan - 66
7. Northern Illinois - 65Â
8. Western Michigan – 48Â
9. Bowling Green – 32Â
10. Akron - 25
11. Buffalo - 21
2020 MAC Tournament Co-Champions: Miami (5), Kent State (5)
Also receiving votes: Ball State (1)
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Players Mentioned
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Softball's Lindsey DeRoeck & AD Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, February 26
Sports Link: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 25
Cardinal Conversation with Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell and Softball's Ashlee Lovett
Thursday, February 19
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04