NORFOLK, Va. – Coppin State's softball team has been picked to finish sixth in the MEAC in a voting of the league's eight head coaches and sports information directors, it was announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon. Additionally,
Brissa Alvarado led a group of four Eagles who were named to Preseason All-MEAC Teams.
The Eagles were picked ahead of Maryland Eastern Shore and South Carolina State who rounded out the Predicted Order of Finish. Morgan State and Norfolk State tied for first place with the Bears receiving six of 16 first place votes compared to three for the Spartans. Howard was picked third despite earning five first place votes, followed by North Carolina Central and Delaware State.
A redshirt junior from Rialto, Calif., Alvarado earned First Team recognition after earning First Team All-MEAC honors at second base last season. Alvarado hit a team-high .345 with a home run and three RBI, while drawing 15 walks to accumulate an impressive .452 on-base percentage. Picked at utility, Alvarado had six multi-hit games and closed the season by reaching base safely in 25-straight games while also earning a win and a complete game on the rubber.
Now in her fourth season with the Eagles,
Desiree Carrizosa earned First Team Preseason All-MEAC honors at shortstop. A native of Moreno Valley, Calif., Carrizosa hit .170 last season with a triple, two RBI and three sacrifice hits.
One of four pitchers on Preseason All-MEAC teams, sophomore
Vanessa Carrizosa was a Second Team All-MEAC selection at utility last season. Carrizosa was one of the top two-way players in the conference in 2021, earning a pair of victories from the circle which included CSU's first no-hitter in nine years at South Carolina State. Recording five complete games and 36 strikeouts, Carrizosa hit .239 with a team-high six sacrifice hits.
Junior
Isabella Zalba picked up the preseason nod in the outfield after a solid debut season with the Eagles in 2021. Leading the team with 18 RBI, Zalba hit .254 with three doubles, two triples and a pair of home runs while also drawing 12 walks. A native of San Mateo, Calif., Zalba also led the Eagles with seven multi-RBI games.
Coppin is set to open the season at the UMBC Round Robin on February 26-27, featuring a pair of matchups with the Retrievers, as well as Georgetown.
