BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- The Blackbirds were picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced today. LIU Brooklyn is on the verge of starting the 2019 season in Fort Meyers, Fla. against Ball State on Friday, February 8.

Last season's No. 2 seed, Sacred Heart (31-25, 10-6) was voted by the coaches as a unanimous choice to win the league in 2019, just ahead of the Blackbirds (22-29, 8-8) in second place. The defending regular season and tournament champions, Saint Francis U. was slotted for third, just ahead of Central Connecticut, the remaining NEC postseason team from 2018 in fourth.

The rest of the coaches' poll was made up of Bryant, Fairleigh Dickinson, Mount St. Mary's, Wagner and Robert Morris.

LIU, the 11-time NEC regular season and 14-time NEC tournament champion, will look to capture the NEC postseason crown, after advancing to the championship final in 2018 as the No. 4 seed.

Leading the efforts this year will be 2018 NEC Rookie of the Year Ryleigh Bermea (.327 batting avg.), who was also a first team selection, and junior Patricia Griffin, who earned an All-NEC second team nod and led the conference in hits with 59. On the mound, the team returns junior Haley Irvis, who led the league in games in relief (19) and was second in appearances (35), is the Blackbirds most experienced hurler.

2019 NORTHEAST CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Sacred Heart (8)
2. LIU BROOKLYN
3. Saint Francis U
4. Central Connecticut
5. Bryant
6. Fairleigh Dickinson
7. Mount St. Mary's
8. Wagner
9. Robert Morris