Cleveland State picked to win 2010 Horizon League Softball Title

Jan. 27, 2010

Complete Release in PDF Format

INDIANAPOLIS – Cleveland State University has been picked to win the 2010 Horizon League softball championship in balloting by the conference’s nine head coaches, the League office announced Wednesday (Jan. 27).

The Vikings collected seven first-place votes and 63 points in the preseason poll as coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

UIC was second in the voting with 57 points while Wright State garnered a tally of 46 to place third.  Butler and Loyola totaled 38 points apiece to tie for fourth just edging sixth-place Valparaiso with 37 points.  

Rounding out the poll were the Green Bay in seventh (22 points), Youngstown State in eighth (15) and Detroit in ninth (eight).

Last season, Cleveland State (35-18) captured its first League crown since the 1997 season and earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship.  The Vikings will be led this season be two-time Horizon League Pitcher of the Year Amanda Macenko.  The senior right-hander helped CSU post a League-record 17 conference wins in 2009.

The Flames (27-26) finished league play at 16-4 last season to claim the Horizon League’s regular-season championship.  UIC general Michelle Venturella was named conference Coach of the Year and welcomes back two first-team All-League performers from last year’s squad.

Softball action begins on Friday, Feb. 12, with conference play commencing on Saturday, March 27.  The 2010 Horizon League Softball Championship will be hosted by the regular-season champion May 6-8.  

2010 Horizon League Preseason Coaches Poll 

Rank - Team - Points

1. Cleveland State (7) 63

2. UIC (1) 57

3. Wright State (1) 46

4-t. Butler 38

4-t. Loyola 38

6. Valparaiso 37

7. Green Bay 22

8. Youngstown State 15

9. Detroit 8