Jan. 23, 2013

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Saint Joseph's softball team was picked to finish fourth in the 12-team Atlantic 10, conference officials have announced. The Hawks, who have made five-straight A-10 Championship appearances, return six starters and 12 letterwinners in all.

Among the returning starters, All-Conference standouts Monica Aguilar and Dana Parks look to lead the Hawks to their 16th A-10 Tournament appearance and bring home Saint Joseph's first conference title. The Hawks, who finished with a 22-29-1 overall record and 9-10-1 A-10 record a season ago, open the 2012 season at the East Carolina Tournament on February 15.

Massachusetts, the reigning A-10 champion, was picked to finish first, with Fordham slotted second. George Washington was picked third, followed by the Hawks, Temple and Charlotte at fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Conference newcomer Butler was picked seventh and was followed by Saint Louis, Dayton, St. Bonaventure, Rhode Island and La Salle. Voting was conducted by the league's head coaches.

The six-team, double-elimination Atlantic 10 Championship will be held May 8-11 at the UMass Softball Complex on the campus of Massachusetts.

2013 Softball Predicted Order of Finish
(2012 Overall Finish; A-10 Record in parentheses)

1. Massachusetts (38-13; 19-0)
2. Fordham (32-26; 14-6)
3. George Washington (25-30; 11-9)
4. Saint Joseph's (22-29-1; 9-10-1)
5. Temple (27-22; 12-6)
6. Charlotte (29-26; 10-10)
7. Butler (25-32; 13-11 Horizon League)
8. Saint Louis (23-33; 9-11)
9. Dayton (22-29; 9-10)
10. St. Bonaventure (17-27; 6-14)
11. Rhode Island (21-32-1; 5-14)
12. La Salle (9-40; 3-17)