NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Saint Joseph’s softball team was picked to finished tied for second in the Atlantic 10 this season according to the A-10 Preseason Poll, conference officials announced on Wednesday.
Coming off their first A-10 regular season title, the Hawks return six starters and 13 letterwinners overall from last year’s club that went 37-10-1 overall and 17-5 in A-10 play. Led by seniors Maria Ficca and Morgan Earling, Saint Joseph’s will begin the 2014 season at Longwood’s Lancer Leadoff on February 15.
Fordham was picked to finish first according to the preseason poll conducted by the league’s 10 head coaches. The Hawks and George Washington were picked to finish tied for second, while Massachusetts took the fourth spot in the preseason poll. Saint Louis (fifth), Dayton (sixth), George Mason (seventh), St. Bonaventure (eighth), La Salle (ninth), and Rhode Island (10th) rounded out the poll.
The 2014 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship will be held May 7-10 at the Murphy Athletic Complex at Fordham.
2014 Softball Predicted Order of Finish
(2013 Overall Finish; A-10 Record in parentheses)
1. Fordham (36-23; 15-7)
T-2. Saint Joseph’s (37-10-1; 17-5)
T-2. George Washington (27-23; 13-7)
4. Massachusetts (18-25; 12-10)
5. Saint Louis (28-23; 13-9)
6. Dayton (22-24; 12-9)
7. George Mason (18-37; 6-15 CAA)
8. St. Bonaventure (10-42; 4-18)
9. La Salle (16-31; 3-19)
10. Rhode Island (10-37; 3-18)
