WESTFIELD, Mass. - The Westfield State University softball team placed second in the 2018 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll last week.

Westfield State received one first place vote for a total 39 points. The Owls went 11-3 during MASCAC play last season.

Senior third baseman Maddy Atkocaitis (Westfield, Mass.) is back for the team after leading the conference in home runs (7) and RBI (38) and second in triples (4) and slugging percentage (.614). She batted .298 with a .374 on-base percentage, had seven doubles and drew 14 walks.

Junior catcher/designated hitter Caitlin Hughes (Hanson, Mass. / Whitman Hanson) returns for the Owls after hitting .363 last season with eight doubles, one triple, 13 RBI and a .402 on base percentage.

Junior outfielder Bri Tortora (Worcester, Mass. / St. Peter Marian) will also be returning after hitting .339 last year with 11 doubles, 10 RBI and a .444 on base percentage.

Westfield State begins their season against New England College during spring break in Clermont, Florida on March 11.

Framingham State placed first in the preseason poll after receiving seven votes for 49 points. They were the 2017 MASCAC regular season and tournament champions.

Returning for the team is reigning MASCAC Pitcher of the Year Kelsi Gunarathne and MASCAC Rookie of the Year Mycala Moody. Gunarathne led the conference in ERA (1.56), wins (17), strikeouts (144), complete games (21) and shutouts (7). Moody batted .348 with 39 hits, including two doubles and two triples plus 12 RBI and 10 stolen bases in her first season.

Worcester State is in third with 35 points. The Lancers were 9-5 during the league campaign in 2017. All-Conference honoree Sydney Despres returns for her senior season. She was first in the league in on-base percentage (.526), slugging percentage (.743), walks (23) and home runs (7). Her batting average (.410) was second-best in the conference with 28 RBI and three stolen bases.

2018 MASCAC Softball Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1.	Framingham State	(7)	49 points
2.	Westfield State	(1)	39 points
3.	Worcester State		35 points
	Bridgewater State		28 points
5.	Salem State		28 points
6.	Fitchburg State		25 points
7.	MCLA		12 points
8.	Mass. Maritime		8 points

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Written By: Michael Witts, Sports Information Intern