BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University has been picked to finish in a tie for fourth place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) as the 2018 MASCAC Softball Preseason Poll was released today by MASCAC Director of Media Relations, Emily Loux.
The Bears and Salem State University both received 28 points in the voting. Last season, Bridgewater posted and overall record of 15-20 with a 7-7 mark in the MASCAC. Framingham State University is the preseason pick to capture the MASCAC title. The Rams tallied 49 points in the poll including seven of the eight first place votes.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Lindsey Couturier, the Bears return ten players from last years squad, including 2017 all-conference selections Kacie Carvalho (Fairhaven, Mass.) and Shannon Grindle (Halifax, Mass.). Carvalho, a junior outfielder, batted .368 (44-114) with a .426 on base percentage a year ago, while Grindle, a sophmore first baseman, batted .364 (43-118) with a pair of home runs and 34 RBI to go along with a .500 slugging pecentage and a .402 on base percentage.
Bridgewater State kicks off its season with a game against Johnson State College at the PFX Spring Games down in Minneola, Florida on Saturday, March 3rd (4:00 PM). The Bears are slated to open MASCAC play on Friday, March 30th (2:00 PM) as they host Salem State in doubleheader action.