(Posted March 3, 2011)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College tied for fourth place with the University of Scranton in the Landmark Conference 2011 softball preseason poll, as the results of preseason voting by the Landmark's head softball coaches and sports information directors was released Wednesday.

The Eagles and the Royals tied with 32 points in the voting. The Eagles lost several key contributors from the team that went 20-18 overall and 6-6 in conference last year. All-Conference infielder Caley McCool (Spring Mills, Pa./Penns Valley) represents one of the eight returning letter-winners from last year's squad.

Moravian College was picked to place first in the conference, while Susquehanna University was chosen for second place. The Greyhounds and the Crusaders have faced off in the past two Landmark Championships and Moravian advanced to the Division III College World Series last year with a 34-15 overall record. Susquehanna earned a pair of wins in the NCAA Tournament last season and each of the squads return plenty of starters.

The Catholic University of America came in third place with 36 points. The Cardinals 2010 season featured a 26-15 overall record and a 6-6 conference mark, just missing the Landmark postseason. Scranton finished third in the conference and will return the majority of its lineup and two primary pitchers.

Drew University earned 29 points for sixth place in the voting, while the United States Merchant Marine Academy fell seventh in the poll.

The Eagles will open their 2011 campaign in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. versus Chatham University at 11:30 a.m.

The complete poll is listed below:

LANDMARK CONFERENCE
2011 Preseason Softball Poll
1. Moravian College - 52 pts.
2. Susquehanna University - 48 pts.
3. Catholic - 36 pts.
4. Juniata College - 32 pts.
The University of Scranton - 32 pts.
6. Drew University - 21 pts.
7. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - 11 pts.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.