University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Ranked Eighth in 2004 Preseason BIG EAST Coaches' Poll
12/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
PROVIDENCE, RI (Dec. 17) - The University of Connecticut softball team was picked to finish eighth of 11 teams in the 2004 Preseason BIG EAST Coaches’ Poll, despite a fifth-place finish in 2003. Defending BIG EAST Champion Notre Dame tops the poll for the third consecutive season.
The Huskies bounced back from a mediocre 13-36 season in 2002 to finish last season with an overall record of 24-23-1 and a conference record of 12-8. Past preseason rankings bode well for UConn, who was picked ninth in last year’s poll and rose well above that standing. The Huskies barely missed a playoff berth as the race for the final spot in the BIG EAST Tournament lasted through the last weekend of regular season games.
Villanova received three first-place votes and was selected second in the poll after going 34-15-1 in 2003 and advancing to the final game of the BIG EAST Championship. Boston College has been tabbed for third after sharing the regular season crown last year. The Eagles posted a 35-22 mark and advanced to the NCAA Championship. Seton Hall garnered one first-place vote and was chosen fourth, followed by St. John’s, Virginia Tech, Syracuse and UConn.
2004 Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll
2003 RECORDS 2003 FINISH
School Points BIG EAST Overall Reg. Season
1. Notre Dame (7) 95 14-3 38-17 t-1st
2. Villanova (3) 83 13-7 34-15-1 t-3rd
3. Boston College 74 14-5 35-22 t-1st
4. Seton Hall (1) 70 13-7 37-14 t-3rd
5. St. John’s 55 9-11 30-28 6th
Virginia Tech 55 6-12 21-29 10th
7. Syracuse 50 7-13 17-25 t-8th
8. Connecticut 48 12-8 24-23-1 5th
9. Rutgers 43 8-12 26-23 7th
10. Pittsburgh 20 7-13 24-31 t-8th
11. Providence 12 4-16 20-24 11th
First-place votes in parentheses
