University of Massachusets Athletics
Three Teams Picked First in Atlantic 10 Coaches Poll
 |  The baseball team was one of three UMass team picked to win its division in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll released today. |
Jan. 14, 2004
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts was picked to finish first in three spring sports, baseball, softball and rowing in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll released today.
The baseball team, led by head coach Mike Stone in his 17th season, was picked to finish first out of six teams in the Atlantic 10 East Division. Last year the Minutemen went 26-19 (14-7 Atlantic 10) and advanced to the Atlantic 10 Tournament championship game. Coach Stone begins the year with 499 career victories and leads the Minutemen in their season opening doubleheader on March 6th at Rider.
The softball team, led by head coach Elaine Sortino in her 26th season, was picked first out of nine teams to win the Atlantic 10. Last year the Minutewomen went 39-15 (11-1 Atlantic 10) and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Coach Sortino leads the Minutewomen in their season opener on Friday, February 13 at the Fiesta Bowl Classic against Ohio State. Taking place in Tempe, Ariz., first pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m.
The rowing squad, led by head coach Jim Dietz in his 10th season, was picked to finish first out of nine teams in the Atlantic 10. Last year the Minutewomen won the Atlantic 10. Coach Dietz and the Minutewomen opened the 2004 season on Sunday, March 28 with the Yankee Cup at Kingston, R.I.
The women's lacrosse team, led by head coach Carrie Bolduc in her second season, was picked to finish third out of eight teams in the Atlantic 10. Last season the Minutewomen went 11-8 (5-2 Atlantic 10), advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship and earned an invitation to the ECAC Championship. Coach Bolduc and the Minutewomen open the 2004 season on Saturday, February 28 as they travel to Holy Cross for a 12:00 p.m. contest.
The men's outdoor track team, led by head coach Ken O'Brien in his 36th season, was picked to finish fourth out of eight teams in the Atlantic 10. Last season the Minutemen finished third at the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championships. The outdoor track the field team returns to action next Saturday, Jan. 24 at New Hampshire.
The women's outdoor track team, led by head coach Julie LaFreniere in her 16th season, was picked to finish fifth out of nine teams in the Atlantic 10. Last season the Minutewomen finished fifth with 96.0 points at the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championships. The outdoor track the field team returns to action this Saturday, Jan. 17 at Boston University.
The women's tennis team, led by head coach Judy Dixon in her 12th season, was picked to finish third along with Xavier in the Atlantic 10. Last season the Minutewomen finished second, advancing to the finals of the Atlantic 10 women's tennis championship. The women's tennis team opens its spring season Friday, Feb. 6 against Binghamton at the Bay Road Tennis Center, beginning at 7:30 p.m.