Softball Chosen to Finish Fifth in MASCAC Preseason Poll

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team has been chosen to finish fifth in the 2012 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) preseason poll in voting conducted by the conference coaches and announced by the MASCAC Office this morning.

The Rams, who finished in a three way tie for third a season ago at 8-6 in the conference and 14-22 overall, received 39 total points and a single first place vote to secure the fifth spot.  Returning for the 2012 Rams are a trio of second team All-MASCAC selections from a season ago in juniors Yaya Faria (Acton, Mass.) and Taylor Ezold (Westfield, Mass.) and senior Alyssa Shea (Lakeville, Mass.).  Second baseman Ezold led the Rams offensively in 2011 hitting .319 with seven doubles, two triples and a pair of homeruns, while Shea was one of the Rams most consistent players in the field and at the plate batting .287 with a .987 field percentage as she made just three errors all season.  Faria led the Rams from the circle where she posted an 8-6 record with a 2.14 ERA. Opponents hit only .239 off Faria who averaged 5.9 strikeouts a game.

Bridgewater State University and Westfield State University are the preseason picks to share the 2012 MASCAC softball championship as the Bears captured three first place votes, while the defending conference regular season co-champion Owls grabbed two first place votes as each school amassed 52 total points.  Defending MASCAC tournament and regular season co-champion Worcester State University is in third with 50 points that includes two first place votes, while Salem State University is next in fourth with 43 points.  The Rams follow in fifth with 39 points and the last first place vote, while Fitchburg State University is next in sixth with 25 points.  MCLA and Massachusetts Maritime Academy round out the poll in seventh and eighth with 19 and eight points respectively.

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation's oldest Division III men's and women's playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom.  MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University.  Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sport of men's ice hockey.