Elms Softball Picked Fourth In NECC Coaches Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College softball team picked up one first-place vote and was picked to finish fourth in the New England Collegiate Conference this season as the league announced its annual Preseason Coaches Poll on Friday.

Elms finished with 43 points in the poll. The Blazers return eight starters from last year’s team that went 10-8 in NECC play and 13-19 overall. Senior Elizabeth Olszewski (Canterbury, Conn.) and junior Catharine Wrang (Middletown, Conn.) are among the Blazer returnees after earning second-team all-NECC honors in 2017.

Lesley University received four first-place votes and was picked to win the league after picking up 60 points in the poll overall. Newbury was just behind with 57 points and three first-place votes, followed by Becker, which got one first-place vote and 48 points overall.

Bay Path (37), Dean (31), Mitchell (25), Southern Vermont (13) and Wheelock (10) round out the preseason poll.

Elms opens the season at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., playing eight games from March 3-7, beginning against Clark University on March 3.

Softball Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Lesley- 60 (4)
2. Newbury- 57 (3)
3. Becker- 48 (1)
4. Elms- 43 (1)
5. Bay Path- 37
6. Dean- 31
7. Mitchell- 25
8. Southern Vermont- 13
9. Wheelock- 10