Delaware Selected as Preseason Favorite in Tightly Bunched Coastal Athletic Association

Photo courtesy Delaware Softball

The following release information was issued by the Colonial Athletic Association and information and courtesy of the Coastal Athletic Association…

RICHMOND, Va. – Delaware was tabbed as a narrow favorite to win the CAA softball title in a tight predicted order of finish, according to a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches.

Three teams received first-place votes and the top four teams were separated by just 16 points. The Blue Hens tallied three first-place votes and 112 points to sit atop the preseason poll, ahead of newcomer Campbell, who totaled a league-best six first-place votes despite trailing with 109 points. The defending CAA Champion, Hofstra, also received three first-place votes, totaling 101 points to edge UNCW (96) by five points in fourth. Towson (82) and Elon (73), separated by nine points, rounded out the top half of the poll in fifth and sixth, respectively. Stony Brook (56), Charleston (55) and North Carolina A&T (39) followed, with Monmouth (36), Drexel (20) and Hampton (13) concluding the predicted order of finish.

Delaware won its second straight CAA regular season title in 2023. The Blue Hens went 18-5 in league play, marking the most CAA wins and best conference winning percentage in program history, led by two-time reigning CAA Coach of the Year Jen Steele. Delaware returns two All-CAA honorees from last season, including Emily Winburn (17-8, 2.16 ERA), the 2023 CAA Pitcher of the Year. In addition, Julz Garber (.358/.401/.377) earned Second Team All-CAA accolades in the outfield for the second year in a row. The Blue Hens also bolstered their pitching staff and lineup with the addition of Morgan Hess (98K, 13HR), who was a First Team All-Big South selection for Presbyterian last spring.

Campbell won its third straight Big South Championship title last season before winning an NCAA Regional contest. The Fighting Camels have 79 wins in the past two seasons under head coach Trena Prater, including a 42-18 record last spring. Campbell returns a league-high five all-conference performers from 2023, who will help the Camels be an instant contender in their first CAA season. Among those expected to contribute heavily are Isabella Smith (29-12, 2.06 ERA), the reigning Big South Pitcher of the Year, and Madilyn Gillespie (.316/.417/.390), who earned Big South Freshman of the Year honors last spring. Additionally, Alyssa Henault (.343/.390/.385), a First Team All-Big South selection, and Second Team All-Big South honorees Delany McDilda (.315/.372.408) and Savannah White (.280/.376/.449) are back in the lineup for the Fighting Camels.

Hofstra returned to prominence, winning its league-leading 13th CAA Softball title last season. Adrienne Clark, who has won seven CAA Championships as a player and coach, guided the Pride to its first title since 2018. Chelsea Manto (.301, 53H) is the top-returning bat in the Hofstra lineup after earning First Team All-CAA for the second straight season in 2023, while Alanna Morse (.284/.329/.377) looks to elevate her game after CAA All-Rookie accolades during her freshman season.

UNCW had its best regular season finish (17-7, 2nd) in program history last season following its title run in 2022. The Seahawks have a lot of familiar faces and are hungry to return to the CAA title game in year two under Ashley Wade. Kara Hammock (10-10, 1.98 ERA) has been one of the top arms in the league over the past two seasons, including First Team All-CAA honors last spring. In addition, Arial Pearce (.321/.393/.440) and Taylor Vitola (.348/.382/.373) return to the batting order after all-conference recognition a year ago.

Towson returned to the CAA title game for the first time since 2016 last season. The Tigers made the most of their first conference tournament appearance since 2019 but are looking for more in 2024. The Tigers welcome back First Team All-CAA shortstop Mackenzie Lake (.383/.429/.589), who led the conference in hits (69) and runs scored (43) last spring. Towson will also be looking for a year two jump from Addie Ferguson (.289/.396/.474), who was a First Team All-CAA selection during her freshman campaign.

Elon qualified for its fourth straight CAA tournament last season and has advanced to the title game in two of the past four seasons. The Phoenix retain All-CAA honorees Carly Davis (.301/.377/.463) and Kaitlyn Wells (.187/.250/.364), looking to lead Elon back to the championship come May.

Stony Brook, Charleston and North Carolina A&T rounded out the CAA Tournament’s expanded field last season. The Seawolves made a deep run in their inaugural CAA season behind the stellar play of First Team All-CAA outfielder Alyssa Costello, who led the league in batting average (.402), ranked second in slugging (.652) and was third in on-base percentage (.431). Meanwhile, the Cougars return the tandem of Caroline Connor (9-8, 2.95 ERA), who was the 2023 CAA Rookie of the Year, and Karlee Hughes (.300/.404/414) after the duo earned All-CAA accolades as freshmen. The Aggies also return an All-CAA honoree, Megan Ellis, who was a two-way player for A&T as a freshman.

The 2024 season begins on Thursday, February 8, with 11 teams in action during the opening weekend. The defending CAA Champs, Hofstra open play the following week. The 2024 CAA Softball Championship is slated for May 8 through 11 at Boseman Field in Wilmington N.C., hosted by UNCW.

2024 CAA Softball Preseason Poll

2024 CAA Softball Preseason Watch List

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