Canisius College junior pitcher Jen Consaul was named the to the 2013 Preseason All-MAAC Team and the Golden Griffin softball program was picked in a tie for third-place in the conference's annual coaches poll, the MAAC office announced today. This marks the first All-MAAC accolades for Consaul, who was named a 2013 team co-captain for the Blue and Gold last fall

Consaul went 9-10 with two saves and a 2.86 ERA last year in her sophomore season. The Chili, N.Y., native made 18 starts in the circle for the Griffs and led the team's pitching staff with 139.1 innings of work. She led Canisius with 10 complete games and four shutout wins last year, and fanned a career-high 10 batters in 10 innings against Mount St. Mary's in Canisius' 2012 home opener at the Demske Sports Complex. She was the only Canisius player to earn Preseason All-MAAC honors for 2013. The Preseason All-MAAC Team is tallied through votes from the league's nine head coaches.

Canisius received 61 points in the preseason coaches' poll, which tied for the Blue and Gold with Siena for third place. Fairfield was chosen to finish first, followed by Marist, Canisius and Siena. Defending MAAC champion Iona was picked fifth, while Niagara, Manhattan, Rider and Saint Peter's rounded out the rest of the poll.

Canisius went 20-30 overall and 11-5 in MAAC play last season. The Griffs return 12 letterwinners and seven regular starters from last year's roster that qualified for the MAAC Softball Tournament for the 21st time in the last 23 seasons. Canisius will officially open the 2013 campaign Saturday, Feb. 16, when the team plays in the Cleveland State Indoor Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio.