CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y.-  The Dowling College softball team has been selected fourth in this year’s East Coast Conference Preseason Poll as voted on by conference coaches.  LIU Post has been picked as the preseason favorite with reigning ECC Player of the Year, Aly Dzierzynski of LIU Post has earned the Preseason Player of the Year award, while her teammate, sophomore Ashley Martin, and Isabelle Yaroch of Queens College, share the Preseason Pitcher of the Year award.
 
Last season, the Golden Lions finished 25-25 advancing to the semifinal round of the ECC Championship Tournament. This season a group of 13 veterans is joined by 6 newcomers including freshman pitcher Vanessa Juengerkes from Islip, N.Y.  Returning this season is All-American outfielder Crystal Tarango.  Last year, Tarango led the ECC with a .424 batting average, .542 on base percentage, .962 slugging percentage, 21 doubles and four triples.

Head Coach Jackie Hannan and her team begin their 2015 campaign as they travel to Clermont, Fla. as they open their season at the National Training Center.

2015 East Coast Conference Preseason Poll
School                                             Points
1. LIU Post (7)                                      63
2. Queens                                             51
3. Molloy                                               48
4. Dowling                                            40
5. Mercy                                                27
6. Bridgeport                                         23
7. NYIT                                                  20
8. St. Thomas Aquinas (1)                     16


( ) – first place votes
 
Preseason Player of the Year: Aly Dzierzynski, Sr., C, LIU Post
Co-Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Ashley Martin, So., LIU Post
Co-Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Isabelle Yaroch, Sr., Queens