Mariners Softball Picked Fifth

CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy's softball team was picked to finish in fifth place North Atlantic Conference (NAC) in 2012. The Mariners went 18-8 with an 11-3 mark in NAC play in 2011.

Husson University was a unanimous choice among the softball coaches to win its fourth-straight conference title. With a perfect 81 points and nine first place votes the Eagles topped the poll, followed Thomas College with 68 points.

MMA returns three All-Conference selections in catcher Leah Jackson (Dedham, Maine), first baseman, Sabrina Keach (Chesterville, Maine), and twirler Casey McCloskey (Howland, Maine). Jackson is the reigning NAC Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-NAC First Team choice. Keach and McCloskey earned spots on the Second Team.

Back to lead the Eagles is 2010 NAC Rookie of the Year and 2011 NAC Player of the Year Aimee Mortensen. Mortensen leads seven returning starters, which include a trio of former all-conference players in Nichole Sargent, Kody Lyon and Courtney Hill.

The Terriers return four starters to the mix, and will look to replace the departure of a pair of all-conference honorees in Malorrie Blakney and Lindsay Fry. Catcher Samantha Moore, a 2011 All-Conference and All-Tournament recipeint anchors a veteran battery with Sara Pavento and Kelsey Crowe in the circle.

2012 NAC Softball Coaches Poll

Note: Points are awarded in descending order with first-place votes (in parentheses) earning 9 points through ninth -place votes which are worth one point.