March 26, 2004

SOMERSET, NJ - LIU was picked at the unanimous preseason favorite to win their fifth consecutive Northeast Conference regular season championship. Sacred Heart was picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll.

The Blackbirds shared the regular season title last season with UMBC and went on to defeat Quinnipiac in the tournament championship game. They return last years Pitcher-of-the-Year, Jackie Brown, and two all conference team members in Alissa Villanueva, All-NEC First Team, and Leah Glenn, All NEC Second-Team.

While the Pioneers were picked to finish sixth thee is still plenty of hope that the team will finish in the top four in the conference and qualify for the NEC Tournament. SHU had a strong finish last season and missed the tournament by just two games. If things remain as close as they have in the standings the last two seasons Sacred Heart will be in the hunt for a playoff berth for the first time since Joining the NEC in 1999.

For the complete NEC release click here.

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