Softball Picked to Finish Second in West Division

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Eastern Michigan University softball team was picked to finish second in the Mid-American West Division as voted by the league coaches, the conference office announced Sunday afternoon. Kent State University was picked as the preseason favorite to capture the 2008 Championship.

The Eagles return nine letterwinners from the 2007 championship team, including MAC First Team selection Jenny Scherer and second team pick Ashley Strauss. Scherer led the conference with eight home runs, 20 RBI and 55 total bases during conference action. Strauss led the Eagles with a .338 batting average and second on the team in doubles with 12. The 2007 MAC Coach of the Year, Karen Baird, welcomes six newcomers to this year’s squad to help replace two time MAC Player of the Year Lauren Clark and first team All-MAC pitcher Michelle Lloyd.

In the West Division, Central Michigan was picked to finish first after finishing runner-up to the Eagles last season. CMU returns one all-conference performer, as well as 26-year head coach Margo Junker, who is ninth in victories (865) among active coaches. Following EMU, Western Michigan was tabbed to finish third in the Division after finishing with a 12-10 conference record last season. Ball State, Northern Illinois and Toledo were picked to finish fourth, fifth and sixth in the Division respectively.

Over in the East Division, Kent State was picked to finish atop the standings following last year’s regular season championship. KSU returns four All-MAC performers to its line-up. Bowling Green was picked to finish runner-up in the East again this season. The Falcons welcome back four All-MAC performers. Miami University was tabbed to finish third, with Ohio, Akron and Buffalo rounding out the poll.

EMU will begin its season Friday, Feb. 15, at the Longwood Lead-off Classic in Farmville, Va. The Eagles will play Bucknell in a neutral site game at noon before starting tournament play. The Green and White take on the host Lancers at 2 p.m. in the first game of the tournament.

West Division East Division

1. Central Michigan 1. Kent State

2. Eastern Michigan 2. Bowling Green

3. Western Michigan 3. Miami

4. Ball State 4. Ohio

5. Northern Illinois 5. Akron

6. Toledo 6. Buffalo

Tournament Champion: Kent State