Jan. 16, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Massachusetts has been picked to win the 2008 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship in voting conducted by the league's 11 head coaches.

The Minutewomen compiled a 39-14-1 overall mark and an unbeaten Conference record (18-0) en route to their 19th A-10 Championship title last season. UMass enjoyed the nation's longest overall winning streak (27) and home-winning streak (33) at one point during the 2006-07 season. UMass advanced to its 13th consecutive and 17th overall NCAA Tournament. They hosted a NCAA Regional for the second straight season spent a portion of the year ranked in the top 25.

Fordham was predicted to finish second, followed by Fordham, Saint Louis and Charlotte.

Charlotte will host the 2008 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship at the 49ers Softball Diamond on May 7-10.

Softball (2007Overall/A-10 Record in parentheses)
1. Massachusetts (39-14-1/18-0)
2. Fordham (39-20/16-14)
3. Saint Louis (29-33/11-8)
4. Charlotte (34-23/8-7)
5. Temple (18-21/8-6)
6. Saint Joseph's (13-25/6-12)
7. George Washington (23-27/9-11)
8. St. Bonaventure (18-18/6-9)
9. La Salle (16-22/8-11)
10. Dayton (11-28/3-14)
11. Rhode Island (10-35/3-14)