WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Bears of Bridgewater State University are the pre-season pick to win the 2014 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball championship in a vote of the league's coaches.

After winning the regular season and tournament crowns last year, the Bears return several key players from the 2013 championship team, including MASCAC Pitcher of the Year Amber White and All-Conference honorees Jill Welch and Jocelyn Bettencourt. The Bears look to continue their success under new head coach Chrissy Semler. Bridgewater State claimed six first place votes to amass 62 points in taking the top spot in the poll.

Tournament runner-up MCLA claimed the final two first place votes to finish second with a total of 55 points while Fitchburg State is next in third place with 41 points and Salem State in fourth place with 37 points.  

Framingham State and Westfield State are next in fifth and sixth place, respectively, with 30 and 29 points. Worcester State and Massachusetts Maritime round out this year's coaches poll in seventh and eighth place, respectively, with 26 and 8 points.

2014 MASCAC Softball Pre-Season Coaches Poll

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)