Softball Tabbed to Finish Fifth in MASCAC Preseason Poll
Framingham, Mass.- The Framingham State softball program has been predicted to finish fifth in the 2016 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference softball preseason poll as voted on by the coaches from around the league.
Framingham State collected 24 points to land in fifth place after finishing the MASCAC regular season 7-7 a year ago. The Rams are led by the reigning MASCAC Player of the Year junior Tiffanie Marsh (Tewksbury, Mass). Last season Marsh led the league in batting average (.423), second in home runs (5) and third in both on-base percentage (.474) and slugging percentage (.635).
MCLA and Worcester State have been selected to win the 2016 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Championship. Both teams tallied 41 points in the poll while MCLA had one first place vote and Worcester State three. The Trailblazers finished last season with a 9-5 conference record and claimed the MASCAC Tournament title. For the Lancers, they claimed the MASCAC Regular Season Title last season with an 11-3 record.
Earning the third spot is Bridgewater State with one first place vote for 37 points. The Bears had a 9-5 record at the end of the MASCAC regular season.
Grabbing the final three first place votes is Salem State with 35 points, good enough for fourth. The Vikings were 8-6 during the league schedule last season.
Landing in the sixth slot is Fitchburg State with 20 points. The Falcons tallied five wins last season in league play.
Closing out the 2016 poll are Westfield State with 19 points and Massachusetts Maritime with seven points in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Owls were 7-7 during the 2015 MASCAC season
The Rams open their season with ten games at the NTC Spring Games in Clermont, FL from March 13th-18th. They open up against Clarkson University at 9am on Sunday, March 13th.