Jan. 19, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's softball team was selected to finish fifth in the 11-team Atlantic 10, conference officials announced on Tuesday. The Hawks, who finished as runners up to 2009 A-10 champions Massachusetts, returns five starters and 10 letterwinners in all.

Backed by two-time Atlantic 10 First Team All-Conference catcher Brooke Darreff and 2009 Rookie of the Year Monica Aguilar, Saint Joseph's will look to improve on its 9-7 A-10 record and 27-20 overall mark of last year.

Massachusetts, which will host this year's Atlantic 10 tournament, was picked to finish first, with Charlotte, Fordhamn and Saint Louis slotted second, third and fourth, respectively. Saint Joseph's was picked fifth and were followed by Temple, St. Bonaventure, George Washington, Dayton, La Salle and Rhode Island.

Voting was conducted by the league's head coaches.

2010 Predicted Order of Finish - (2009 overall/A-10 record in parentheses)
1. Massachusetts (41-10/16-2)
2. Charlotte (33-16/14-4)
3. Fordham (37-22/13-7)
4. Saint Louis (22-33/12-6)
5. Saint Joseph's (27-20/9-7)
6. Temple (15-25/6-8)
7. St. Bonaventure (12-28/9-11)
8. George Washington (16-33/6-14)
9. Dayton (13-34/7-13)
10. La Salle (9-28/7-13)
11. Rhode Island (14-37/3-17)