Softball Selected Third in 2013 NECC Preseason Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College softball team was selected to finish third in the 2013 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Preseason Poll as announced by the league office on Wednesday.

Elms earned 77 total points and one first place vote to earn the third spot in the preseason ranks. The Blazers, under the direction of head coach Cheryl R. Condon who is now in her 27^th season, reached the NECC Championship tournament semifinals in 2012.

Elms returns 12 players from last season's squad including senior catcher Sarah Buckley (Wilbraham, Mass.) who led the team with 23 RBI and added 11 doubles while amassing a .363 batting average during the season. Junior first baseman Ally Witaszek (Feeding Hills, Mass.) finished the season hitting above .300 with a .341 average on the strength of 31 hits, four doubles, two triples a home run and 14 runs driven in. Buckley is now just five RBI shy of tying the program-record of 80 set by Christina Giampetruzzi '08.

2013 NECC Softball Coaches Poll
1. Lesley - 99 (9)
2. Mitchell - 85
3. Elms - 77 (1)
4. Daniel Webster - 66
5. Newbury - 57
6. Regis - 50
7. Bay Path - 40
8. Becker - 36
9. Southern Vt - 25
10. Wheelock - 9