NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State softball team was predicted to finish fourth in the Southern Division of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as voted on by the league's head softball coaches and sports information directors.
The defending MEAC Tournament champion Delaware State was predicted to win the Northern Division title and the 2009 Softball Championship. DSU finished the 2008 season with a 29-25 overall record and earned their first-ever berth to the NCAA Tournament.
In 2008, NSU went 23-33 and made its first championship game appearance under head coach Kary Kankey and the first since the 2000 season when NSU fell to Bethune-Cookman.
Howard was chosen to finish second in the northern division following a 12-3 conference record and 23-17 overall mark last year, while Hampton was predicted to finish third. Morgan State, Maryland Eastern Shore and Coppin State rounded out the fourth through sixth picks in the Northern Division.
North Carolina A&T was selected to finish first in the Southern Division after recording a 9-3 MEAC mark and 31-17 overall record in 2008, while Bethune-Cookman was picked to finish second. Florida A&M was picked to finish third and South Carolina State was chosen to finish fifth in the southern divisional standings.
NSU opens the 2009 season on Sunday with a doubleheader against Canisius College at 11 a.m.
2009 Preseason Softball Predictions
Northern Points MEAC Overall
1. Delaware State 235 10-5 29-25
2. Howard 187 12-3 23-17
3. Hampton 179 12-2 31-18
4. Morgan State 154 7-7 16-20
5. Maryland E. Shore 125 3-12 10-34
6. Coppin State 107 0-15 0-37
Southern Points MEAC Overall
1. North Carolina A&T 204 9-3 31-17
2. Bethune-Cookman 201 9-3 21-36
3. Florida A&M 177 5-7 16-40
4. Norfolk State 172 4-8 23-33
5. South Carolina State 122 3-9 9-24
