The defending MEAC tournament champion Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats were predicted to win the 2011 MEAC Softball title, as voted on by the conference's head softball coaches and sports information directors.  Howard was tabbed to finish first in the Northern division, while the Lady Wildcats were picked to win the Southern division along with the conference's tournament title.

Delaware State's Jordan Reid was selected as the conference's Preseason Player of the Year. Coppin State's Paige Arnold earned Preseason Pitcher of the Year accolades.

The Lady Wildcats concluded the 2010 season with a 32-24 overall record and a 9-3 mark in conference play.  Bethune-Cookman won their sixth overall MEAC tournament crown and first since the 2004 season. They return all of the starters from last year's championship team, including 2010 MEAC Tournament Outstanding Player and 2011 All-MEAC Preseason member Allison Garcia.

Florida A&M, the 2009 MEAC champion, was picked to finish second in the southern division followed by North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State and Norfolk State.

Howard won the northern divisional title a year ago after posting a 14-1 MEAC record and 26-22 overall mark.  The Lady Bison, who won the conference title in 2007, return a wealth of players including 2009 MEAC Rookie of the Year Rebecca Kirshner.

Delaware State was chosen to finish second in the north. Hampton, Coppin State, Morgan State and Maryland Eastern Shore rounded out the northern division preseason predictions.

Reid, the 2010 MEAC Player of the Year, was third in the MEAC and ninth in the nation with a .457 batting average. She led the MEAC in on-base percentage (.504) and was third in the conference in sac bunts (8), stolen bases (22) and steal attempts (25). Reid posted one home run, two triples, six doubles and concluded the 2010 season with 57 hits in 125 appearances at the plate.

Coppin State's Paige Arnold, the 2010 MEAC Pitcher of the Year, finished the season with a 20-14 record and an ERA of 1.68 in 200.1 innings. She led the MEAC in earned run average (1.68) and was second in opposing batting average (.204) and strikeouts (214).  As a team, the Lady Eagles amassed one of their best seasons a year ago and competed in the MEAC tournament for the first time since the 2005 season.  

Garcia, Reid, and Arnold are joined by Sabrina Ferguson (B-CU), Jade Dudley (CSU), Tawny Reeger (DSU), Rachel Carroll (DSU), Jasmin Donaldson (FAMU), Kelsei Saunders (Ham), Rebecca Kirshner (How) and Lorae Robinson (How) were named to the 2011 Preseason team.                               

Conference play begins April 2-3 with all MEAC northern and southern divisional teams in action. 

The 2011 MEAC Softball Championship tournament is scheduled for May 12-14, 2011 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Florida.

2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Predictions

As voted on by the MEAC's Head Softball Coaches and Sports Information Directors

(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)

Northern Division

School................................................................. Pts.
1. Howard (10)..................................................... 213
2. Delaware State (6)............................................. 210
3. Hampton (4)..................................................... 188
4. Coppin State (2)................................................. 167
5. Morgan State.................................................... 134
6. Maryland Eastern Shore..................................... 115

Southern Division
School................................................................. Pts.
1. Bethune-Cookman (15)....................................... 243
2. Florida A&M (3)............................................... 200
3. North Carolina A&T (2)..................................... 174
4. South Carolina State (2)...................................... 151
5. Norfolk State.................................................... 143