Marywood Picked Third in CSAC Preseason Poll
Marywood's softball team has been picked to finish third by conference coaches

Marywood Picked Third in CSAC Preseason Poll

Softball - 2/22/2012 10:48:00 AM

Aston, PA -  Marywood University's softball team has been selected to finish third in softball in a preseason balloting of the leagues' head coaches.  Marywood, under coach Bob Fitzsimmons, went 22-17 overall/15-7 CSAC a season ago, reaching the semifinals of the CSAC tourney. Shortstop Kim Lope looks to lead the Pacers, as she was a First Team All-CSAC pick in 2011 after hitting .397 with nine doubles, eight triples, and three homers, while stealing 37 bases in 40 attempts. The Pacers garnered 112 points in the polling and one first place vote.
 
Centenary College was selected first in the coaches' poll. The Cyclones garnered 135 points, including six of a possible 12 first-place votes, to edge second-place pick Neumann University, which garnered 133 points and five first-place tallies.
 
Centenary is looking to repeat as CSAC champions, after finishing 29-13 overall, and 13-3 in conference play in 2011. The Cylones defeated Neumann in the 2011 CSAC tournament, earning their first trip to the NCAA Division-III national playoffs.

“Naturally, being ranked number one by our peers gives us pride because it means Centenary softball is regarded as a successful program,” said Centenary head coach Kim Broking. “But, we know that every team in the conference has the potential to win the title. We look forward to another year of exciting competition.”
 
The Cyclones return two of their top offensive producers from a season ago in CSAC Player of the Year Cara Montferrat and First Team All-CSAC pick Caitlin Veverka. Veverka led the conference with 13 home runs and 51 RBIs, while Montferrat clubbed 10 homers and drove in 47 runs while leading the league with a .471 batting average. Centenary also returns arguably its top hurler from 2011 in Megan Madsen, who went 14-4 in 109 innings.
 
Neumann, which captured three straight CSAC championships from 2008-10, finished 30-13 last year, qualifying for the ECAC postseason. Coached by William Saar, the Knights return a pair of 2011 First Team All-CSAC selections in pitcher Rachel Purpuro and outfielder Mariah Ripken. Purpuro, the 2011 CSAC Pitcher of the Year, went 14-4 with a 2.32 ERA and 160 strikeouts. Ripken started all 42 games, batting .342 with 29 runs scored and 17 RBIs.
 
Marywood's 112 points barely edged out fourth-place pick Immaculata, which garnered 110. Baptist Bible (98 points), Cabrini (87), Gwynedd-Mercy (69), Keystone (59), Cedar Crest (55), Philadelphia Biblical (31), Rosemont (29), and Notre Dame of MD (20) round out the voting.
 
The CSAC softball season officially commences on March 8th, with a doubleheader between Baptist Bible and Rosemont. The top four finishers in the regular season will take part in the CSAC Championship Tournament, scheduled to take place May 2nd – May 5th.
 
2012 CSAC PRESEASON SOFTBALL COACHES POLL

1. Centenary – 135 (6)
2. Neumann – 133 (5)
3. Marywood – 112 (1)
4. Immaculata – 110
5. Baptist Bible – 98
6. Cabrini – 87
7. Gwynedd-Mercy – 69
8. Keystone – 59
9. Cedar Crest – 55
10. Philadelphia Biblical – 31
11. Rosemont – 29
12. Notre Dame of MD – 20
Print Friendly Version