University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Picked Sixth in CAA Softball Preseason Poll
1/27/2016 1:13:00 PM | Softball
John Seneca, returns 17 letterwinners and seven starters for the 2016 season. The Blue Hens went 30-23 last year but finished seventh in the league standings with a 6-14 CAA mark.
Delaware set school records for runs scored, RBI, doubles and home runs a year ago, while its .304 team batting average was the program's highest since 1977. The Blue Hens will be paced by sophomore first baseman Mariah Kondravy, who batted .380 during her rookie year while setting UD single season records with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. Classmate Leanna Gearhart will return to her shortstop position after she hit .360 a year ago and led the nation with 11 triples.
Lisa Stacevicz batted a team-high .392 with 13 doubles last season, while Shelby Jones, Giovanna Kolofer and Danielle Wissinger are also back for the Blue Hens.
Junior Carolyn Szymanski returns to lead the UD pitching staff after she went 17-13 with a 2.93 earned run average in 2015, while Kiersten Coffman and Jordan Cargile also are expected to see significant work in the circle.
Delaware kicks off its 2016 campaign on Feb. 12-13 when the Blue Hens face Presbyterian and Campbell on consecutive days at the Campbell Hampton Inn Invitational. UD opens its home schedule on Mar. 4 as the Blue Hens host Delaware State and Norfolk State on the first day of the Blue Hen Blast Tournament. Delaware begins CAA play on Mar. 25-26 with a three-game home weekend series vs. Charleston.
2016 Colonial Athletic Association Softball Preseason Poll
1. James Madison - 56 (7)
2. Hofstra - 49 (1)
3. College of Charleston - 39
4. Elon - 38
5. Towson - 37
6. Delaware - 24
7. UNCW - 19
8. Drexel - 16
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kevin Tritt at: ktritt@udel.edu (email) / 302-831-8715 (office) / 302-383-5005 (cell)
Delaware set school records for runs scored, RBI, doubles and home runs a year ago, while its .304 team batting average was the program's highest since 1977. The Blue Hens will be paced by sophomore first baseman Mariah Kondravy, who batted .380 during her rookie year while setting UD single season records with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. Classmate Leanna Gearhart will return to her shortstop position after she hit .360 a year ago and led the nation with 11 triples.
Lisa Stacevicz batted a team-high .392 with 13 doubles last season, while Shelby Jones, Giovanna Kolofer and Danielle Wissinger are also back for the Blue Hens.
Junior Carolyn Szymanski returns to lead the UD pitching staff after she went 17-13 with a 2.93 earned run average in 2015, while Kiersten Coffman and Jordan Cargile also are expected to see significant work in the circle.
Delaware kicks off its 2016 campaign on Feb. 12-13 when the Blue Hens face Presbyterian and Campbell on consecutive days at the Campbell Hampton Inn Invitational. UD opens its home schedule on Mar. 4 as the Blue Hens host Delaware State and Norfolk State on the first day of the Blue Hen Blast Tournament. Delaware begins CAA play on Mar. 25-26 with a three-game home weekend series vs. Charleston.
2016 Colonial Athletic Association Softball Preseason Poll
1. James Madison - 56 (7)
2. Hofstra - 49 (1)
3. College of Charleston - 39
4. Elon - 38
5. Towson - 37
6. Delaware - 24
7. UNCW - 19
8. Drexel - 16
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kevin Tritt at: ktritt@udel.edu (email) / 302-831-8715 (office) / 302-383-5005 (cell)
Players Mentioned
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