SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL: Cardinals picked first, fourth in preseason poll

Ball State softball was picked to win the Mid-American Conference West Division in the 2011 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Last season, the reigning MAC Tournament Champions finished the year with a record of 43-16 and 17-5 in MAC play.

The Cardinals return four All-MAC players in senior shortstop Alicia Barkley, senior outfielder Lisa Rozanski, junior catcher Amanda Montalto and senior first baseman Kate Wilczynski.

Ball State received seven of 12 first place votes in the poll. Miami University was picked to win the MAC East Division along with the MAC Conference Tournament.

Ball State baseball was picked to finish fourth in the MAC West in the preseason poll.

The Cardinals received 37 points in the poll, falling behind MAC West favorite Central Michigan, Toledo and Eastern Michigan.

Kent State was picked to win the MAC Conference Tournament.

MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll

West Division (number of first place votes)

1. Ball State (7)

2. Central Michigan (4)

3. Northern Illinois (1)

4. Western Michigan

5. Eastern Michigan

6. Toledo

East Division (number of first place votes)

1. Miami (5)

2. Ohio (4)

3. Kent State (3)

4. Bowling Green

5. Buffalo

6. Akron

MAC Tournament Champion - Miami (7), Ball State (3), Ohio (1), Kent State (1)

MAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll

West Division

1. Central Michigan – 69 points

2. Toledo – 60 points

3. Eastern Michigan – 46 points

4. Ball State – 37 points

5. Northern Illinois – 26 points

6. Western Michigan – 12 points

East Division

1. Kent State – 72 Points

2. Miami – 53 Points

3. Bowling Green – 50 points

4. Ohio – 35 points

5. Akron – 24 points

6. Buffalo – 16 points

MAC Tournament Champion - Kent State (5), Central Michigan (3), Toledo (2), Miami (1), Eastern Michigan (1) 

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