LOWELL, MA (Feb. 14, 2008) – The UMass Lowell softball team, fresh off a 30-22 season in 2007, was selected to finish sixth as the Northeast-10 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll was released Thursday.

The River Hawks were among four teams to receive at least one first place vote while Le Moyne (32-17, 23-4 in the NE-10) received seven first place votes and topped the poll. Bryant (28-18, 19-9) came in at No. 2 and garnered four first place votes while Southern Connecticut (32-17, 21-7) drew three first place votes and was picked fourth.

Southern New Hampshire (24-12, 21-7 NE-10) and Merrimack (23-20, 17-11) rounded out the top five. American International (23-24-1, 15-12-1) was chosen seventh and was followed by Stonehill (13-24-1, 12-15-1), Saint Rose (16-22, 11-17) and Pace (18-30, 9-19).

“I think that is probably where we belong,” said Head Coach Harry Sauter, entering his 14th season. “When you lose someone like Kristen Mahoney (standout pitcher), who carried us into the championship, that’s a lot to replace. But we’ve got six young pitchers who are working hard.”

Fresh off one of their most successful seasons in school history, the River Hawks captured their first NE-10 Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Northeast Region semifinal round.

Mahoney, serving as UML’s pitching coach this season, went 19-10 last year with a 1.42 ERA and a school-record 207 strikeouts. Also graduated is Vikki Guido, UML’s leadoff hitter who posted team-highs in batting (.341), runs (29) and stolen bases (16).

UML returns six starters (five field players, one pitcher) from last season led by senior DH Laurie Tanguay (Lowell, MA), one of four NE-10 all-stars back from the 2007 season. Tanguay batted .314 with 31 RBI and 22 runs while senior OF Jachael Guanci (Everett, MA) hit .312 with team-highs of 38 RBI and eight home runs.

Also back is senior 2B Julie Brodie (Chelmsford, MA), who batted .299 with 27 runs; and junior SS Stacey Lajoie (Gardner, MA), who hit .276 with a team-high 10 doubles along with 28 RBI and 25 runs.

“I think (the poll) says something to the fact that we have a seasoned offense,” Sauter added. “I think we’re going to be a lot better near the end of the year than the beginning. That’s the way we finished last year and I hope we can do that again.”

Sophomore Lindsay Farmer (Kingston, NH) will lead a young pitching staff following a promising freshman season. Farmer went 10-9 with a 3.24 ERA and scattered 57 earned runs, 48 strikeouts and 25 walks over 123 innings while striking out 48.

UML opens the season on Sunday, Mar. 16 against Georgian Court (9:00 a.m.) at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, FL. The River Hawks open at home on Saturday, Mar. 29 at home against Southern Connecticut (1:00).