Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University softball team has been selected to finish second in the Northeast Conference coaches poll released Wednesday.  The Colonials finished 15-3 and second in the NEC last season, but return 10 letterwinners and five seniors in 2009.  Four returnees also earned All-NEC recognition for their outstanding play in 2008.

The 2008 Conference Champions, Long Island, were once again voted as the preseason favorite to capture the NEC title for the third consecutive year.  The Blackbirds edged Robert Morris, 2-1 in the championship contest last May .  Long Island has won the NEC softball championship an unprecedented 11 times under the direction of fifteenth year head coach, Roy Kortmann.  For the second year in a row, Robert Morris has been chosen to finish in second place.

The Colonials will enter 2009 under the tutelage of nineteenth year head coach, Craig Coleman.  Also returning for the campaign is senior Brooke Panepinto (Belle Vernon, Pa. / Belle Vernon)  who concluded 2008 hitting .355 to place eighth in the league, while finishing third on the circuit with nine homers.  A two-time All-NEC first-teamer and All-Mid Atlantic Region second-teamer, Panepinto also ranked sixth in both runs scored and hits.  Joining Panepinto will be fellow All-NEC team members, Susan Perich (Center, Pa. / Center) and Annie Dubovec (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston).  The 2008 NEC Rookie of the year, Jessica Calderone (Wilmington, Del. / St. Marks) will also be returning for her sophomore season.

The Colonials will open the 2009 season on Friday, February 27 against Ohio University in the UNC Greensboro Spartan Classic in Greensboro, NC. 

2008 Northeast Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Long Island (9)
2. Robert Morris 
3. Wagner

4. Saint Francis (PA)

5. Monmouth
6. Sacred Heart
7. Quinnipiac
8. Central Conn. St.
9. Mount St. Mary's

10. Fairleigh Dickinson