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Softball Canisius College Athletics

Softball Picked Second in Preseason Poll

EDISON, N.J. - The Canisius College softball team has been chosen to finish second in the 2003 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches. A pair of outfielder also earned preseason honors on the 2003 All-MAAC Preseason Team. Junior Jamie Gorczynski (N. Tonawanda, N.Y.) and last season's MAAC Rookie of the Year Rebecca Murphy (Meshoppen, Pa.) received the nod for preseason awards.

The Griffs captured 72 votes after winning the MAAC Softball Championships last season and were only three points behind the preseason #1, Fairfield University. Canisius defeated the Stags in last season's championship game to advance to their sixth NCAA Softball Championships. Saint Peter's finished third with 67 points, and Iona placed fourth with 56 points. Rider (32) and Siena (38) were tied for fifth, followed by Marist (31), Manhattan (21) and Niagara (19).

Fairfield's Mellissa Santos has been selected as the 2003 Preseason Player of the Year. Last season, Santos was named the MAAC Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference with her 0.95 ERA, posting a 27-12 record on the mound and tallying 401 strikeouts in 279.1 innings pitched.

Five of the MAAC's nine schools are represented on the Preseason All-MAAC Team. Joining Gorczynski and Murphy in the outfield is Fairfield's Ellen Sarosy and Iona's Aviva Jorstad. The infield includes Saint Peter's Marsha Kelley at catcher and Candace Winder at first base, Iona's Liz Hammel at second base and Danielle Grasso at shortstop, along with Fairfield's Megan Miller at shortstop and Saint Peter's Aimee Barsalona and Marist's Nichole Rawson at third base. Siena's Carrie Getz is the designated player and Iona's Alison Higgs is the utility player. Santos was chosen at pitcher.

2003 MAAC Softball PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1. Fairfield, 75 2. Canisius, 72 3. Saint Peter's, 67 4. Iona, 56 T5. Rider, 32 T5. Siena, 32 7. Marist, 31 8. Manhattan, 21 9. Niagara, 19

2003 MAAC Softball PRESEASON TEAM
Name, Position, School Marsha Kelley, Catcher, Saint Peter's Candace Winder, First Base, Saint Peter's Liz Hammel, Second Base, Iona Megan Miller, Shortstop, Fairfield Danielle Grasso, Shortstop, Iona Aimee Barsalona, Third Base, Saint Peter's Nichole Rawson, Third Base, Marist Jamie Gorczynski, Outfield, Canisius Rebecca Murphy, Outfield, Canisius Ellen Sarosy, Outfield, Fairfield Aviva Jorstad, Outfield, Iona Carrie Getz, Designated Player, Siena Alison Higgs, Utility Player, Iona Mellissa Santos, Pitcher, Fairfield
2003 Preseason Player of the Year: Mellissa Santos, Fairfield
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Players Mentioned

Jamie Gorczynski

#14 Jamie Gorczynski

OF
5' 1"
Junior
Rebecca Murphy

#19 Rebecca Murphy

OF/C
5' 7"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Jamie Gorczynski

#14 Jamie Gorczynski

5' 1"
Junior
OF
Rebecca Murphy

#19 Rebecca Murphy

5' 7"
Sophomore
OF/C