CORTLAND, NY – The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has released its 2017 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll for the upcoming season. The Cortland Red Dragons have been selected by the conference coaches as this year's favorite to win the SUNYAC, with a unanimous 100 points.
Last season, under Head Coach Julie Lenhart, the Red Dragons had an impressive 20-5 record entering into the SUNYAC Tournament. After dominating the field, going 4-0 in the tournament, Cortland softball claimed its 14th overall SUNYAC Championship and automatically qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Although the Red Dragons fell short in the 2016 NCAA Regionals, the team looks poised to take a swing at another trip to the NCAAs.
Buffalo State was voted second in the coaches' poll, with a combined 81 points. Under Head Coach Marie Curran, the 2016 Bengals had an impressive run in the SUNYAC Tournament, earning a spot in the championship game, but ultimately fell to the reigning conference champions the Red Dragons of Cortland. Buffalo State looks to continue from where they left off last year entering the 2017 with high expectations.
The two top-ranked teams will face-off in Cortland on Saturday, April 1.
In third, with a collective 70 points, the conference coaches have selected the Oneonta Red Dragons. Led by fourth year Head Coach Sara Curran-Headley, Oneonta is focused on reclaiming the SUNYAC title, after claiming their most recent in 2014. The Red Dragons of Oneonta start their 2017 campaign in Clermont, Florida at the NTC College Spring Games.
2017 SUNYAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Cortland (100 points)
- Buffalo State (81 points)
- Oneonta (70 points)
- Geneseo (68 points)
- Plattsburgh (62 points)
- Oswego (44 points)
- New Paltz (40 points)
- Brockport (39 points)
- Fredonia (25 points)
- Potsdam (17 points)
