| Softball Predicted to Finish Third in Horizon League |
| Tuesday, January 30 2007 |
| Courtesy of: |
| Indianapolis, Ind. -- The 2006 Horizon League Tournament Champion Youngstown State softball team was picked to finish the 2007 campaign third in the league standings after a poll conducted by the league coaches, the Horizon League announced. The Penguins received one first-place vote and 34 points and trailed preseason favorite UIC, who six first-place votes, with 48 points and Loyola with 40 points. The Ramblers also received one first-place vote. Detroit was picked fourth with 26 points while Cleveland State and UW-Green Bay were predicted to finish fifth and sixth with 25 and 24 points, respectively. Wright State was picked seventh with 20 points and Butler eighth with seven points. Youngstown State returns 13 letterwinners from last season's championship team, including senior pitcher Karlie Burnell and junior designated player McKenzie Bedra. Burnell, a 2006 second-team all-Horizon League pick, led the Penguins with 16 wins and a 3.30 earned-run average and picked up all four victories YSU's run for the Horizon League title. Bedra, who batted .306 last season, was named the tournament's most valuable player after batting .700 and belting a tournament record five home runs. Youngstown State opens the 2007 season at the Eastern Kentucky Tournament, March 3-4. |