Marshall University Athletics
Softball Picked To Finish Second in MAC East
1/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Picked To Finish Second in MAC East
1/23/2003
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.- The Marshall University softball team has been selected by league coaches to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division. Marshall received three first place votes and 56 total votes.
?Its nice to see that we have established ourselves as a legitimate contender within the conference,? head coach Shonda Stanton said. ?After losing seven starters from last year?s squad the poll shows alot about both our returning players and young kids. Hopefully our team realizes what a tough league we play in and that each contest will be a battle.?
Ohio University was chosen to finish first in the division, also receiving three first place votes and a total of 62 points. Akron University, Kent State University, the University at Buffalo and Miami University rounded out the picks on the East side.
Central Michigan University was the overwhelming favorite to win the MAC West Division with a total of 89 points and 11 first place votes. Ball State University and Northern Illinois University each received first place votes on the West side. Bowling Green State University, Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University and the University of Toledo rounded out the West Division.
Marshall finished last season 18-28 overall and missed the conference tournament by a single game. MU returns five starters from last years squad including First Team All-MAC honoree Sierra Davenport (Tucson, Ariz.). The Herd replaced seven players lost to graduation last season with a stellar group of freshmen who look to contribute to the team?s success in 2003.
Stanton?s squad will head to Las Cruces New Mexico as they open their season against New Mexico State University on February 14th.
2003 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
East Division
1. Ohio (3) 62
2. Marshall (3) 56
3. Akron (3) 53
4. Kent State (4) 52
5. Buffalo 26
6. Miami 24
7. Toledo 17
West Divison
1. Central Michigan (11) 89
2. Ball State (1) 67
3. Northern Illinois (1) 61
4. Bowling Green 56
5. Western Michigan 51
6. Eastern Michigan 23
