Akron Softball Picked Fourth In MAC East In Preseason Coaches Poll

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – In the annual preseason Mid-American Conference softball preseason poll, the University of Akron softball team was picked to finish fourth in the East Division and received one first-place vote by the conference 12 head coaches, the league announced on Friday.

In the East division, the reigning MAC tournament softball champion Kent State was predicted to finish in first place receiving six first place votes, while Ohio and Miami were chosen as the second and third place finishers. Akron, who was ranked fourth in the East earned 41 total points and one first-place vote. Bowling Green and Buffalo round out the East field for fifth and sixth place.

Northern Illinois was selected to finish in first place in the West division in 2018, followed by Ball State for second, and Central Michigan picked third. Rounding out the West were Western Michigan (fourth), Toledo (fifth), and Eastern Michigan (Sixth).

The MAC tournament will take place at Firestone Stadium in Akron, following the completion of the 2018 regular season. When the top eight teams in the conference meet for the postseason tournament, Kent State is predicted to repeat and claim its second MAC Tournament title in back-to-back years after receiving three votes. Akron, along with Northern Illinois, Ohio, and Ball State all earned two votes for the Tournament championship.

Akron begins the 2018 season today, Friday, Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. when the Zips take part in the Stetson Lead-Off Classic. Akron will play a pair of contests this afternoon against Kansas (1:30 p.m) and Stetson (4:00 p.m.).

2018 MAC Softball Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)

East
Kent State - 62 (6)
Ohio - 58 (3)
Miami - 51 (2)
Akron - 41 (1)
Bowling Green - 27
Buffalo - 13

West
Northern Illinois - 60 (4)
Ball State - 55 (2)
Central Michigan - 53 (5)
Western Michigan - 34
Toledo - 33 (1)
Eastern Michigan - 17

2018 MAC Tournament Champion: Kent State (3)
Also receiving votes: Northern Illinois (2), Ohio (2), Ball State (2), Akron (2), Toledo (1)

(First Place Votes)

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Softball Picked Fourth In MAC East In Preseason Coaches Poll

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