Are you ready for some softball?

COLLEGE SEASON IS HERE

COLLEGE SOFTBALL STARTS TODAY! The Kajikawa Classic tournament is underway in Tempe Arizona starting with the #12 ranked Washington Huskies taking on #15 Nebraska Huskers. More of what should be hotly contested Division I college matchups at www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/3251

Washington has high hopes set on senior Niki Williams this year. More at http://dailyuw.com/news/2012/feb/08/huskies-ready-unleash-bats

TOMORROW, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, Virginia Tech is playing in Jackson, FL, while Drexel takes the field in Greenville, NC. Tomorrow, Saturday, February 11, the University of Delaware will step to the plate in Charlotte, NC.

Towson Tigers

NEXT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, Towson begins their games in Buies Creek, NC, while the University of Maryland does battle in Boca Raton, FL. On Saturday, February 18, James Mason travels to Burlington, NC and Hostra's first game is in Greenville, NC.

HOW LOCAL D1 CONFERENCE TEAMS ARE EXPECTED TO FINISH...

● ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE (ACC) preseason coaches poll pick the Maryland Terrapins to find themselves in fifth place this year. The Terrapins are coming off a strong 40-19 season that culminated in their second straight NCAA Regionals appearance. 

The Virginia Cavaliers are picked fourth, while Virginia Tech Hokies, the NC State Wolfpack and the Boston College Eagles are expected to fall in behind Maryland’s ranking.

ACC TOP THREE are the George Tech Ramblin' Wreck at #1, the North Carolina Tar Heels slotted for #2, and the Florida State Seminoles picked #3.

Maryland Terrapins

Maryland head coach Laura Watten brings back seven starters and 12 overall letter-winners. Senior Vangie Galindo returns after one of the greatest seasons at the plate in Terrapin softball history. Her season average of .422 and 78 hits last year were both schol records. Her current career batting average of .333 is the best in school history.

Video preview of Terrapin season at http://www.umterps.com/allaccess/?media=295469

● COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (CAA) coaches tab the 

James Madison Dukes

Towson Tigers to finish third, the James Madison Dukes to come in fourth, University of Delaware Blue Hens to wind up fifth, with the Drexel Dragons, the George Mason Patriots, and the UNCW Seahawks rounding out the projected standings.

CAA CONFERENCE FAVORITES: The Hofstra Pride, last year's regular season conference champion, and the Georgia State Panthers, the league tournament champion, each TIED for the picks to win it all this season.

“We have to go out and win ballgames,” Towson Head Coach Lisa Costello said. “There are a group of teams in our league that are solid. Our team’s long-term goal is to win the conference title. Runs will come at a premium and that’s the way we are going to approach it.”

University of Delaware Blue Hens