CCSU Softball Slotted Eighth in Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll
Central Connecticut was picked to finish eighth in the Northeast Conference according to the league's coaches' poll released this afternoon. The Blue Devils, who went 14-25, including 5-11 in the conference last season, are looking for their first ever NEC Tournament berth. Ninth-year head coach Mandy Roczniak will lead a young squad featuring just three seniors into the 2009 campaign.
Central Connecticut was picked to finish eighth in the Northeast Conference according to the league's coaches' poll released this afternoon. The Blue Devils, who went 14-25, including 5-11 in the conference last season, are looking for their first ever NEC Tournament berth. Ninth-year head coach Mandy Roczniak will lead a young squad featuring just three seniors into the 2009 campaign.
The Blue Devils return the corps of their pitching staff this season. Senior righthander Rachel Brenneman, who ended last season ranked fifth in the NEC with a 2.53 ERA, held opponents to a .239 average in 2008, while sophomore counterpart Elizabeth Montemurro concluded her rookie campaign with the league's second-best earned run average (1.62). CCSU will look to sophomore utility player Erin Kelley to help bolster the offense. She scored a team-best 21 runs, produced an on-base percentage of .429 last season and ranked second on the team with a .313 batting average.
Long Island, the three-time defending NEC champions, received all nine first place votes. Robert Morris, Wagner, St. Francis (PA) and Monmouth completed the top-five. Sacred Heart was slotted sixth, while Quinnipiac was picked to finish seventh. After Central Connecticut, Mount St. Mary's and Fairleigh Dickinson rounded out the poll.
Central Connecticut opens its season at the Longwood University Tournament. The Blue Devils face the host Lancers at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. They will also face UMBC on Saturday and Iona on Sunday, Feb. 29.
OTHER CCSU SOFTBALL NEWS: Conditioning Clinic Announced
