Softball Coaches Pick Augustana to Win CCIW Title

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The Augustana Vikings were picked to defend its College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) softball title according to a poll conducted by the eight head softball coaches Wednesday.

The Vikings, who finished 13-1 in conference play last season, picked up 49 points in the preseason poll and seven of the eight first place votes. Illinois Wesleyan, a second place finisher in the conference last season with a 12-2 record, was picked second with 43 points and one first place vote. North Central (7-7 in 2006) was picked third with 37 points.

In the fourth spot, Millikin (8-6) finished with 31 points, while Wheaton (6-8) was fifth with 21 points. Carthage (3-11) was sixth (19 points), while Elmhurst (6-8) was seventh (17 points). North Park (1-13) finished eighth with seven points.

Voting in the preseason poll is done by the softball coaches in the CCIW. Each coach votes for the seven other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second, etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own team.

The CCIW softball season begins Feb. 25 with Augustana traveling to the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.