ASTON, PA – Narrowly missing the conference postseason a year ago, the softball team is looking to crack the top six in 2010 following a 10-10 CSAC record during the group’s first year in the league.
The Crimson Eagles will have their work cut out for them, returning just eight of 17 players from a year ago. Placing seventh overall in the preseason coaches’ poll, PBU will be forced to rely heavily upon a crop of young players with minimal collegiate experience.
Despite the team’s youth, head coach Rachael Joye is excited about the potential of this year’s squad. "We are a young, but talented team. The girls have worked hard in the fall and during the off-season and we are excited about coming into conference play this year and surprising a lot of teams. We have set our goals high and I expect the team to do very well this season."
Coming off three championships in four years, Neumann University will look to defend last year’s crown and was picked as the favorite to do so this season, collecting six first place votes and 135 total points in the preseason polls.
"We are honored to have been chosen by the coaches as the pre-season favorite," said Head Coach Bill Saar. "We are excited to have the opportunity to defend the conference title. It will be a competitive 2010 season."
Centenary College, who were CSAC co-runner ups in 2009, earned 4 first place votes while coming in a close second with 133 points. Marywood University (105), Gwynedd-Mercy College (104), Cabrini College (102), Immaculata University (91), Philadelphia Biblical University (64), Cedar Crest College (61), Keystone College (54), Baptist Bible College (51), Rosemont College (21), and The College of Notre Dame (15) rounded out the voting.
2010 CSAC Softball Preseason Poll
**(First Place Votes)
| Neumann University |
135 (6) |
| Centenary College |
133 (4)
|
| Marywood University |
105 |
| Gwynedd-Mercy College |
104 (1) |
| Cabrini College |
102 (1) |
| Immaculata University |
91 |
| Philadelphia Biblical University |
64 |
| Cedar Crest College |
61 |
| Keystone College |
54 |
| Baptist Bible College |
51 |
| Rosemont College |
21 |
| The College of Notre Dame |
15 |