Softball Predicted 11th in AMCC Preseason Poll

The Alfred State softball team begins a new era in just over two weeks as they open up the 2020 season, the first season the Pioneers compete in the AMCC. In the preseason coaches poll, Alfred State is ranked 11th.

Mount Aloysius, the defending champion, is predicted to repeat as AMCC Champions. They are followed by 2019 regular season champion Penn State Behrend and AMCC tournament runner-up Franciscan. 

Marissa Varela (Egg Harbor Twp, NJ) returns to lead the Pioneer offense after being named 1st team All-ACAA, 1st team All-ECAC, and NFCA All-Region during her first season wearing the blue & gold. She finished the year hitting .357 with eight doubles, four triples, two homers, and 35 RBI. Dual threat Brittany Fisher (Indianapolis, IN) will look to be a threat on the mound and at the plate. She tossed 104.1 innings last year and earned seven victories while accumulating a .429 on-base percentage (drew 21 walks) at the plate.

The Pioneers under first year head coach Rob Fair opens up their season on March 8th when they begin their 10-game trip to the Gene Cusic Classic in Ft. Myers, FL. The Pioneers open up on the 8th with a doubleheader with North Central College (IL) and SUNY Canton. After their spring trip, the Pioneers jump right into conference play which features doubleheader with each of the other ten teams in the AMCC. They will also play non-conference games with SUNY Delhi, Keuka, Houghton, Elmira, and Houghton.

The AMCC tournament will be held May 1-3 at the site of the #1 seed, with the winner earning the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Pre-Season AMCC Rankings *

1. Mount Aloysius (2)
2. Penn State Behrend (1)
3. Franciscan (T3)
4. Pitt-Bradford (T3)
5. D'Youville (5)
6. Medaille (T6)
7. Penn State Altoona (T6)
8. Pitt-Greensburg (8)
9. La Roche (9)
10. Hilbert (10)
11. Alfred State

*Number in parenthesis is order of regular season finish in 2019

**2020 is the first season Alfred State is in the AMCC