Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Tabbed to Finish Second in the East
February 05, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 5, 2009
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University softball team, led by head coach Shannon Salsburg was tabbed to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division in the Coaches Pre-Season Poll and earned a vote to win the MAC Tournament announced by the conference office (Feb. 4).
The Falcons were picked to finish behind 2008 MAC Champions, Kent State for the second consecutive season. The Golden Flashes were also picked to win the MAC Tournament. Despite being picked to finish behind Kent State the Falcons were one of the two MAC teams to defeat the MAC Champions last season. Following the Falcons in the MAC East Division are Miami in third, Ohio in fourth, Akron in fifth and Buffalo in sixth.
Central Michigan, the 2008 MAC West Division Champions were picked to win the West Division for the second consecutive season as well. Behind the Chippewas were Ball State in second, Western Michigan in third, Northern Illinois in fourth, Toledo in fifth and Eastern Michigan in sixth.
Salsburg and the Falcons finished the 2008 regular season second in the MAC East Division with a 14-5 record in conference play and third at the MAC Tournament. Salsburg's 2009 squad boasts lots of experience as they return 11 players including senior co-captain, three-time first team All-MAC selection, two-time NFCA Great Lakes All-Region selection and Academic All-American Hayley Wiemer. Also returning for the Falcons are juniors Susan Sontag and Carly Riepenhoff and sophomores Lindsay Arney, Haleigh Bielstein, Katelynn Boso, Melissa Bott, Missy Bowman, Rachel Delp, Zada Lines and Lauren Rockich. The Falcons also welcome transfer Karmen Coffey and freshmen Rachel Proehl and Melissa West to the softball family this season.
The Orange and Brown will get the 2009 season underway as they travel south for opening day at the UCF-Early Bird Tournament in Orlando, Florida. The Falcons will take on North Florida in their season opener on February 13th at 1:00 p.m. BG will then continue their opening road trip of tournaments until March 26th when the Falcons host Purdue in their 2009 double-header home opener with the first pitching be thrown at 2:00 p.m.
2009 MAC SOFTBALL PRE-SEASON POLL
East Division
1. Kent State
2. Bowling Green
3. Miami
4. Ohio
5. Akron
6. Buffalo
West Division
1. Central Michigan
2. Ball State
3. Western Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Toledo
6. Eastern Michigan
