Juniata softball picked to finish sixth in Landmark preseason poll

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College softball was selected by Landmark head coaches and sports information directors to finish the 2012 season sixth in the Landmark Conference, according to the preseason poll released Thursday.

Juniata clinched 23 points in the voting, six points behind No. 5 Drew University. Moravian College, the four-time Landmark defending champion, earned 66 points, placing first on every preseason ballot.

The Catholic University of America, last season's runner-up finished at No. 2 with 53 points, only two points ahead of No. 3 Susquehanna University. The University of Scranton, a 2011 postseason team, earned 40 points to land the No. 4 slot. United States Merchant Marine Academy rounds out the poll with 11 points, as it will bring back 11 players from the 2011 season.

The Eagles will feature a young team this season, but returns eight players to the roster, including senior shortstop Erin Francis (Parkton, Md./Hereford). The Eagles will look to sophomore catcher Meghan Decker (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) as the top returning hitter, with ERA leader Kelsea Decker (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) reclaiming her spot on the mound. Juniata finished the 2011 campaign with a 3-27 overall record and a 1-9 league finish.

The Eagles will open their 2012 campaign in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. versus Rivier College on Monday, March 5 at 9:30 a.m.

The complete poll is listed below:

LANDMARK CONFERENCE
2012 Preseason Softball Poll

1. Moravian College - 66 pts.
2. Catholic- 53 pts.
3. Susquehanna University - 51 pts.
4. The University of Scranton - 40 pts.
5. Drew University - 29 pts.
6. Juniata College - 23 pts.
7. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - 11 pts. 

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