SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Susquehanna University softball team has been picked to finish sixth in the Commonwealth Conference preseason coaches' poll, the conference office announced this week.

The Crusaders (17-15 overall, 4-10 Commonwealth) return 13 letterwinners and seven members of the starting lineup from last year's squad, which finished sixth in the conference.

Fourth-year head coach Kathy Kroupa welcomes back last season's top two hitters in junior shortstop Sarah Shaffer (.398, 23 runs scored) and sophomore third baseman Megan McCurley (.396, 15 runs batted in), with each earning second-team All-Conference honors last season.

Leading the pitching staff are senior righthander Jess Nastelli (6-3, 1.83 ERA, three shutouts) and junior righthander Kelly McHale (5-6, 2.58 ERA, 4 walks in 57 innings).

Five-time defending Commonwealth postseason champion Moravian received the maximum seven first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll with 49 points, followed by Lebanon Valley, Albright, Messiah, Juniata, Susquehanna, Widener and Elizabethtown.

Susquehanna kicks off its 2006 season with a spring break trip to Orlando , Fla. during the week of March 5. The Crusaders open their home schedule on Saturday, March 18 against Juniata .