The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) announced three of the the spring 2016 preseason polls.
MCLA and Worcester State have been selected to win the 2016 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Championship as voted on by the eight coaches from around the conference.
Both teams tallied 41 points in the poll while MCLA had one first place vote and Worcester State three. The Trailblazers finished last season with a 9-5 conference record and claimed the MASCAC Tournament title. Returning is First Team All-Conference pitcher Rachel Quakenbush who finished the regular season first in ERA (1.65), strikeouts (179) and saves (3). She also tallied the second most wins with 10.
For the Lancers, they claimed the MASCAC Regular Season Title last season with an 11-3 record. Reigning MASCAC Pitcher of the Year Meghan Rich is back after tallying 15 wins, the most in the MASCAC, while also finishing with the second best ERA (1.93).
Sitting tied for third with 34 points are Massachusetts Maritime, who earned the final first place vote, and Worcester State. The Buccaneers and Lancers each won a share of last year’s regular season title with a 10-4 conference record. Coming back for Massachusetts Maritime is reigning MASCAC Player and Rookie of the Year Logan Sullo who was first in the league in batting average (.446) and slugging percentage (.797) while also tallying 18 RBI. Adam Barry is back for Worcester State after tallying a .362 batting average, second-most RBI in the league with 36 and 54 hits.
Sitting in third is Worcester State with 35 points. The Lancers were 5-2 during the 2015 MASCAC campaign. Kaila Chase returns to the squad after netting 59 goals and 15 assists along with 42 ground balls on her way to earning All-Conference honors last season.
Courtesy of MASCAC Media Relations