CLEVELAND, OHIO – The Mid-American Conference announced the Preseason Softball Poll as voted on by the league’s head coaches. Miami was picked to finish first in the East Division while defending tournament champion Western Michigan was picked to finish first in the West Division and claim this year’s tournament title.
Miami returns six starters from last year’s squad that finished second in the East with a MAC record of 13-9. Leading the team is 2011 MAC Pitcher of the Year Jessica Simpson. Simpson finished the year 27-15 with a 1.57 ERA and set single-season school records in several categories, including strikeouts (317), shutouts (15), wins (27), appearances (48), starts (40), complete games (38) and innings pitched (298.1). With all of those record setting statistics, along with her 1.57 ERA led the MAC, her 317 strikeouts ranked 18th in the nation. As returning is sophomore Kirstie Fehrenbach who led team in batting as a freshman, hitting .340. She appeared in 51 games, starting 50, mostly in the outfield. She increased her batting average to .385 in conference games, earning her a spot on the MAC All-Freshmen team.
Western Michigan captured the 2011 MAC Tournament Title for the first time since 2003 and claimed the regular season and tournament titles in the same season for the first time in program history last season. This season they were picked to do it again. The Broncos return 2011 MAC Player of the Year Gracie Barstad who led the team with a .373 batting average, she recorded a team high 62 hits and 11 doubles. Also returning for the Broncos is MAC Tournament MVP Meredith Whitney. Whitney led the Bronco pitching staff on the mound with 189 innings pitched, recording a 3.30 ERA and 177 strikeouts.
Rounding out the East Division Preseason Poll was Kent State, Ohio, Akron, Buffalo and Bowling Green. In the West Division it was Ball State, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Toledo.
The conference season begins on Friday, March 30th and the MAC Tournament will be held at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio, May 9-12th.
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