NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- North Central was picked to win the 2012 College
Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) softball title in a poll
conducted Wednesday.

The Cardinals (26-14, 9-5) placed first in the poll with 47 points
including six first place votes after advancing to the NCAA Regional
last season.

Carthage (23-17, 10-4) placed second in the poll with 38 points and
two first place votes. Defending CCIW champion Millikin (23-15, 11-3)
finished third with 34 points while Illinois Wesleyan (21-15, 6-8) was
fourth with 33 points.

Augustana (19-19, 5-9) was fifth with 25 points, followed by Wheaton
(23-17, 7-7) (23 points), Elmhurst (15-23, 7-7) (17 points) and North
Park (17-19, 1-13) (7 points).

Voting is done by the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's
head softball coaches. Each coach votes for the seven other schools in
the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in
reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second,
etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own teams.

2012 CCIW Softball Poll
1. North Central - 47 (6 first place votes)
2. Carthage - 38 (2 first place votes)
3. Millikin - 34        
4. Illinois Wesleyan - 33       
5. Augustana - 25       
6. Wheaton - 23         
7. Elmhurst - 17        
8. North Park - 7