February 14, 2008
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University was picked to win the Heartland Conference softball title this season, it was announced recently by the conference office in a vote of conference coaches and sports information directors.
The Rattlers won the 2007 tournament title and have won all seven Heartland Conference Tournaments. They received 84 points and eight of the 11 first place votes in the preseason poll. Finishing second in the voting was St. Edward’s University with 79 points and the final three first place votes.
The University of the Incarnate Word was third with 68 points, Lincoln University was fourth with 37, followed by Newman University with 36, Oklahoma Panhandle State University with 33, Texas A&M-International University with 30 and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in eighth with 29.
The Rattlers have won four games in a row and are 8-2 overall this season. They have won the tournament title in each of the tournaments they have competed in this season. St. Mary’s will return to action on Thursday when they travel to Phoenix, Ariz., for the NFCA Division II Leadoff Classic.
Heartland Conference Preseason Poll
1., St. Mary’s, 84
2., St. Edward’s, 79
3., Incarnate Word, 68
4., Lincoln, 37
5., Newman, 36
6., Oklahoma Panhandle State, 33
7., Texas A&M-International, 30
8., Texas-Permian Basin, 29