Owls Softball Tabbed 2nd in LEC Preseason Poll

N. Dartmouth, Mass. 1/31/12 - Keene State College earned six second-place votes and 53 total points to debut at No. 2 for the second-straight season according to the 2012 preseason coaches' rankings.

Eastern Connecticut State University has been unanimously selected as the favorite to claim the Little East softball regular-season championship.

Head Coach Charlie Beach guided his Owls to the program's third consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship in 2011. The regional championship capped of the program's fifth straight season with at least 28 wins. Keene State (29-12-1) completed the conference circuit with a 9-5 mark, finishing in a three-way tie for second place with the Western Connecticut and Rhode Island College. The Owls utilized the strength of their prolific lineup to reach double digits in scoring eight times on the campaign, including an 11-1 victory over Brandeis in the ECAC finale. Keene State led the conference circuit in batting average (.326), while ranking among the team leaders in doubles (2nd, 75), runs (2nd, 240), runs batted in (2nd, 204), and home runs (3rd, 24).

Beach will welcome 13 student-athletes, including eight starters, back into the fold from the 2011 squad. The Owls will count on the sister-tandem of Haley and Laura Chandler (Wakefield, Mass.) to set the table for the Keene State lineup. Haley and Laura were both honored on the 2011 NFCA All-New England, second team. The Owls will also travel to Clermont, Fla. to begin their 2012 slate. Keene State will open its schedule at 3 p.m. on March 11 against Fairleigh Dickinson.