3/5/2008 -

Mount Saint Vincent head Softball coach Mary Marra.

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The College of Mount Saint Vincent Softball team has been picked to finish fifth in the Skyline Preseason Coaches’ Poll it was announced late Wednesday. Coming off a 15-14 season in 2007, the Dolphins received 33 points in the poll voted on by the league’s nine head coaches.

St. Joseph’s (LI) has been tabbed as the preseason favorite after receiving 63 points and seven first place votes. Following in second place is Polytechnic with 53 points, with Mount Saint Mary in third with 51. Each of those two teams also received a single first place nod. Following the Blue Knights is Farmingdale St. with 46 points, the Dolphins with 33 and Purchase with 25. Rounding out the nine team field is Old Westbury with 23 points, Russell Sage with 20 points and Maritime with 10 points.

In 2007 the Dolphins posted a 4-12 mark in the Skyline Conference, but closed the season on a three game winning streak. Back for the Dolphins in 2008 is Lisa O’Shea (White Plains, NY) who is the leading returning hitter after posting a .402 batting average in 29 games last season.

Mount Saint Vincent will open the 2008 season on March 14 in Fort Pierce, Florida. The Dolphins will play their first home game on March 25 against Lehman and will open the Skyline schedule on March 29 at home against St. Joseph’s (LI).