Feb. 20, 2007

Virginia Beach, Va. - Bethune-Cookman College softball has been predicted to finish fourth this season within the MEAC in the preseason order of finish as voted upon by the coaches and sports information directors throughout the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference [MEAC].

The Wildcats of B-CC finished tied for second in the league last year with a record of 10-4 in the MEAC. B-CC was tied with Hampton University and Delaware State University for the second place finish.

The `Cats are returning six starters from last year's 30-29 squad, but gone are both starting pitchers. In fact, the Wildcats have zero (0) pitchers returning from last year's roster. First-year head coach Chris Cochran is arranging a team that is playing in very different positions, but is prepared to hit the diamond each and every day ready to go with a slew of freshmen and two transfers.

As for the rest of the preseason standings, defending champion Florida A&M University who picked up 15 of the possible 17 first place votes. The Lady Rattlers finished 2006 with a perfect 14-0 mark in the league. The other two first place votes went to second place Delaware State.

Hampton is sitting in third place for the preseason poll, rounded out with Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina A&T State University in the top five. The MEAC Softball Championship is scheduled for May 11-13 at the Randazzo Softball Park in Severn, Md. located just outside the Baltimore city limits.

For more information on the preseason poll for softball, please visit the MEAC website at www.MEACsports.com.

2007 Preseason Softball Predictions as voted by the conference head coaches and sports information directors

Rank/Team Points (First Place Votes) MEAC Overall

1. Florida A&M 368 points (15) 14-0 40-25

2. Delaware State 317 points (2) 10-4 34-22

3. Hampton 273 points 10-4 32-22

4. Bethune-Cookman 271 points 10-4 30-29

5. North Carolina A&T 201 points 6-7 21-38

6. Norfolk State 183 points 7-7 21-33

7. Howard 171 points 6-8 26-27

8. South Carolina St. 119 points 4-10 8-35

9. Morgan State 93 points 5-9 11-28

10. Coppin State 51 points 4-10 12-31

11. Md.-Eastern Shore 25 points 0-13 5-42