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(PRINCETON, W.Va.)---Traditional power West Virginia Wesleyan is the overwhelming favorite in the 2010 WVIAC softball coaches' pre-season poll.  Head coach Steve Warner's Bobcats, who finished ranked No. 17 nationally last season after recording a 45-15 overall record, were the top choice on 13 of 14 ballots.

West Virginia State, Glenville State, Fairmont State, Alderson-Broaddus complete the top five in the coaches' picks.  Charleston, Seton Hill, Wheeling Jesuit, Shepherd, and West Liberty comprise the sixth through tenth spots.  Davis & Elkins is eleventh, Concord and Ohio Valley tied for twelveth, and Bluefield State completes the poll in fourteenth.  Salem International is not eligible for this season's WVIAC title.

2009 WVIAC Pitcher of the Year Patricia Moreno (26-9, 1.22 ERA) heads up the returnees for West Virginia Wesleyan (45-15, 25-1).  C Stephanie St. Peter (.328-3-28), C/OF Shelby Carlson (.318-3-25), OF Lexi Rodgers (.318-1-29), and C Desiree Sibera (.285-3-25) are among the top offensive holdovers from a squad that scored over six runs per game last season.

West Virginia State (31-19, 17-9) welcomes back sophomore SS Brittany Hyatt, who cranked out nine home runs to go with a .450 batting average.  The youthful Jackets have six rookies on a 14-player roster.

Glenville State (25-24, 17-11) has improved each season under head coach Rick Moore and made an impressive run to last season's WVIAC Tournament championship contest.  Mandy Parkulo (16-18, 2.46 ERA) returns in the pitching circle for GSC.  2B Leanne Harris (.391, 20 SB) and OF Brittney Handley (.282, 25 SB) are two of the WVIAC's quickest players.  3B Meagan James, who blasted 14 homers in 2006, has bounced back from injuries to return to the lineup.

Fairmont State (32-16, 21-7) must replace three first team All-WVIAC honorees.  A talented crop of newcomers will have to fill key roles for the Falcons to repeat their second place WVIAC regular season finish of 2009.

Alderson-Broaddus (24-25, 19-9) returns virtually everyone from last season's youth dominated squad.  3B Haley Mullen (.273-2-14), OF Kelly Lauterbach (.306), and 2B Ashley Sullenberger provide senior leadership that last season's Battlers squad lacked.

2B Kathy Jo Getz (.434) is the lone senior in the starting lineup for Charleston (29-24, 15-11).  Pitcher Stefanie Rossman (22-15, 3.24 ERA, 195 K) also returns for the Golden Eagles.

Seton Hill (26-20, 17-9) was the WVIAC's surprise story in 2009.  The Griffins return seven position starters in 2010, including senior SS Maggie Jones (.294).  P/OF Louanne Wiegand (13-7, 1.65 ERA, .336, 28 RBI) is one of the league's top two-way players.

Senior captains SS Ashley McSweeney (.388 in '08) and OF Angela Petros (.266-6-26) look to lead Wheeling Jesuit (23-24, 10-10) to a upper division WVIAC finish. 

Shepherd (23-23, 15-13) brings back second team All-WVIAC picks P/1B Tricia Bettura (10-9, 2.44 ERA, .322 BA) and SS Courtni Williams (.326-4-13). 

West Liberty (18-24, 9-11) is expected to field a young squad.  Junior Katelyn Kumm batted .314 in a utility role last season.

P/1B Britne Bacca (12-19, 4.05 ERA, 176 K, .295-7-22) is a threat for Davis & Elkins (16-39, 11-17) with her arm and bat.  C/SS Amber Vineyard, one of four seniors, led the Senators with a .304 batting average in 2009.

Ohio Valley (10-38, 6-16) has one of the WVIAC's top long ball threats in 1B Preet Dhillon (.354-6-20).  OF Mandy Strom batted .287 in 2009.

Concord (1-32, 0-20) has a highly-regarded class of eleven freshmen on hand as head coach Sabrina McCullough continues to makeover the Lady Lion program.

Bluefield State (5-25, 2-18) hopes to reduce a 7.39 team earned run average that scuttled the Lady Blues' hopes in 2009.

Salem International (1-43, 0-20) welcomes seven freshmen that look to begin a turnaround for the Tigers.

The WVIAC softball season gets underway on Friday as several league members are slated to play in warm weather events.  The annual conference tournament is slated for April 29-May 1 at Jackson Park in Vienna.

The complete 2010 WVIAC pre-season softball coaches' poll follows: