![UM Softball 2017 Preseason Favorite](http://townsquare.media/site/591/files/2016/05/AE-CHamps-Softball-Maine-e1463276874291.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
UM Softball 2017 Preseason Favorite
The University of Maine softball was unanimously selected as the favorite to win the America East Conference in coaches' poll that was released on Wednesday afternoon.
The Black Bears received six first place votes and 36 overall by the coaches in the league to earn the top designation in the conference. UMaine won the America East tournament last season and returned all but one player from the squad last season.
Binghamton, who was the regular season champ last season, received the only other first place vote and finished in second place overall in the poll.
Regular season play will kick-off on February 10th, with conference action beginning on April 1st.
2017 America East Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank | Team (1st-place votes) | Points |
1 | Maine (6) | 36 |
2 | Binghamton (1) | 28 |
3 | Albany | 26 |
4 | Stony Brook | 24 |
T5 | UMBC | 13 |
UMass Lowell | 13 | |
7 | Hartford | 7 |
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