Softball Shares Top Spot In NECC Preseason Poll With Lesley University
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College softball team earned a share of first place in the 2011 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Preseason Poll as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Elms, which finished its 2010 campaign 20-17 overall, 14-2 in NECC play, lost to Lesley (26-13, 15-1 NECC) in the conference tournament championship game last May.
The Blazers are led by two-time NECC Coach of the Year Cheryl Condon, who enters her 25th season at the helm and has posted a 329-313 overall coaching record. Elms also welcomes back 13 players and seven starters from last year's squad including four all-conference players in junior shortstop Jenna Lipscomb (Cambridge, Mass.), sophomore first baseman/catcher Sarah Buckley (Wilbraham, Mass.), junior right-handed pitcher Courtney Hampton (Westfield, Mass.) and junior outfielder Marlene DiRaimo (Cranston, R.I.). Buckley also garnered 2010 NECC Rookie of the Year honors.
2011 NECC Preseason Softball Poll
Team, Points (1st Place votes)
Lesley, 60(4)
Elms, 60 (4)
Mitchell, 45
Daniel Webster, 35
Bay Path, 29
Becker, 24
Newbury, 23
Wheelock, 9
Southern Vermont, 3
