Reigning #AESB Softball Regular-Season Champion Binghamton Tabbed 2018 Favorite
BOSTON – Reigning America East softball regular-season champion Binghamton is the conference’s 2018 preseason favorite after a vote where only 11 points separated the top five teams and four programs earned first-place votes. The voting was conducted by the conference’s seven head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
Binghamton, which won its second-straight regular-season crown last year, received four first-place votes and 33 points. Maine and UMass Lowell, which earned one first-place tally, tied for second place with 26 points. Stony Brook (fourth place) also earned a first-place nod and had 23 points while 2017 champion Albany (fifth place) garnered the final first-place vote and 22 points. Here is the full poll:
2018 #AESOFT Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Binghamton (4 1st-place votes), 33 pts
T2. Maine, 26
T2. UMass Lowell, 26 (1)
4. Stony Brook, 23 (1)
5. Albany, 22 (21)
6. UMBC, 10
7. Hartford, 7
The 2018 season gets underway for Maine and UMass Lowell, which will be postseason eligible for the first time after fully transitioning to Division I, on Feb. 16 with the other five #AESB programs beginning Feb. 23.
For the first time in over a decade, the America East Softball Championship will be played at a predetermined campus site. The top six teams in the standings will qualify for the conference championship, which takes place May 9-12. The tournament site will be announced on Feb. 21.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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