As part of our in-depth preseason college softball coverage, today we dive into the CAA and forecast what could be in store for the league during the 2023 season.
For our remaining Conference Forecasts in 2023, we’ve also added a team-by-team breakdown and analysis of every program in the conference. Check that out in Section XI below.
1. Conference Breakdown
Delaware won the CAA regular-season crown last season and were the top overall seed in the conference tournament, but it was UNC Wilmington that emerged from the tournament as the victors. The Seahawks won the CAA tournament title and, with it, the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. It was the first-ever postseason appearance for UNCW.
A bevy of moves made the CAA one of the busiest leagues during conference realignment this summer. The conference lost one team but added four, all of which sponsor softball programs. James Madison departed the league, but the new additions included Stony Brook, Monmouth, Hampton, and North Carolina A&T.
There are currently eleven softball programs competing in the CAA. Those programs include College of Charleston, Delaware, Drexel, Elon, Hampton, Hofstra, Monmouth, North Carolina A&T, Stony Brook, Towson, and UNC Wilmington.
*****
II. Award Predictions
Player of the Year: Alyssa Costello, Stony Brook
Pitcher of the Year: Emily Winburn, Delaware
Coach of the Year: Ashley Wade, UNC Wilmington
Conference Champions: UNC Wilmington Seahawks
