Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Kathi Russ
Softball Selected To Finish Fifth In MAC West
2/7/2012 11:15:00 AM | Softball
Eagles picked to finish fifth in the MAC West Division in the 2012 MAC Preseason Poll
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University softball team was selected to finish fifth in the Mid-American Conference West Division in the 2012 MAC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll as released by the conference office Tuesday, Feb. 7.
The Eagles finished fourth in the MAC West last season after going 12-8 (.600) in conference action. After falling short in making MAC Tournament appearances for three consecutive seasons, the Eagles finally overcame that struggle and secured a spot as the fifth seed in the 2011 Conference Championships, but back-to-back losses to Ball State and Kent State sent the Green and White home earlier than desired.
Last year's MAC Tournament Champion and regular season champion Western Michigan was picked to win the West Division and repeat as the tournament favorite, returning both 2011 MAC Tournament MVP, Meredith Whitney, and 2011 Player of the Year, Gracie Barstad.
Miami was selected to win the East Division. The Redhawks retain 2011 MAC Pitcher of the Year, Jessica Simpson, and will welcome back six starters for the 2012 campaign.
The 2012 MAC Softball Tournament will be held at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio May 9-12. The 2012 campaign will begin Feb. 24 when the Eagles head to Orlando, Fla. to face Florida Golf Coast in the opening round of the Central Florida Tournament.
East Division
1. Miami (10)
2. Kent State (2)
3. Ohio
4. Akron
5. Buffalo
6. Bowling Green
West Division
1. Western Michigan (9)
2. Ball State (2)
3. Northern Illinois (1)
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Toledo
(number of first place votes)
2012 MAC Tournament Champion: Western Michigan
The Eagles finished fourth in the MAC West last season after going 12-8 (.600) in conference action. After falling short in making MAC Tournament appearances for three consecutive seasons, the Eagles finally overcame that struggle and secured a spot as the fifth seed in the 2011 Conference Championships, but back-to-back losses to Ball State and Kent State sent the Green and White home earlier than desired.
Last year's MAC Tournament Champion and regular season champion Western Michigan was picked to win the West Division and repeat as the tournament favorite, returning both 2011 MAC Tournament MVP, Meredith Whitney, and 2011 Player of the Year, Gracie Barstad.
Miami was selected to win the East Division. The Redhawks retain 2011 MAC Pitcher of the Year, Jessica Simpson, and will welcome back six starters for the 2012 campaign.
The 2012 MAC Softball Tournament will be held at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio May 9-12. The 2012 campaign will begin Feb. 24 when the Eagles head to Orlando, Fla. to face Florida Golf Coast in the opening round of the Central Florida Tournament.
East Division
1. Miami (10)
2. Kent State (2)
3. Ohio
4. Akron
5. Buffalo
6. Bowling Green
West Division
1. Western Michigan (9)
2. Ball State (2)
3. Northern Illinois (1)
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Toledo
(number of first place votes)
2012 MAC Tournament Champion: Western Michigan
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