Bulldogs receive a first-place vote, land third in NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After winning the Northeast Conference Championship in 2014 and then missing the conference post season in 2015, with an 8-8 league record, the Bryant University softball team grabbed third in this year's preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches and announced by NEC officials Thursday.

The Bulldogs received one of the seven possible first-place votes, with league-favorite LIU Brooklyn finishing with seven. Just ahead of the Bulldogs in the No. 2 slot is Robert Morris, with reigning NEC Champion Central Connecticut falling behind Bryant, in fourth, claiming one first-place vote. Saint Francis U. placed fifth and Fairleigh Dickinson grabbed sixth. Sacred Heart slotted seventh, Mount St. Mary's was voted eighth and Wagner rounded out the poll in ninth.

Returning for the Bulldogs is 2015 NEC Most Improved Player and All-NEC first team outfielder Taylor Burger (Killingworth, CT). Burger lifted her average more than 150 points last season, when she hit a team-high .350 and ranked second in the NEC with 11 homers. The junior also slugged .790 and drove in 30 runs. Bryant also brings back a pair of All-NEC second teamers in senior pitcher Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, CO) and classmate Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, CA). A three-time All-NEC honoree, Madsen won 11 games on the mound and also starred at the plate with a league-leading 12 home runs. She ranked third in the conference with 36 RBIs. Bottino, a pitcher/infielder, wrapped the 2015 season among Bryant leaders in homers (six), doubles (11) and RBI (27).

The team begins this season in Florida for the Citrus Classic, where they will face North Florida, East Carolina, Morgan State, Notre Dame and Syracuse, beginning on Friday, February 26.