University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Blue Hens Picked First in North Division in CAA Softball Preseason Poll
2/4/2021 10:00:00 AM | Softball
RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Delaware softball team was picked to win the North Division as the Colonial Athletic Association Softball Preseason Coaches Poll was announced Thursday.
The Blue Hens earned 22 points and four first place votes to finish in the top spot of the division, followed by Drexel with 18 points and three first place votes. Towson was picked third with 16 points and one first place vote, while Hofstra was selected fourth with eight votes.
James Madison was tabbed to win the South Division, followed by Elon, Charleston and UNCW.
Delaware returns eight starters and three of its four pitchers from last year's squad which tied for the best start in program history by opening 19-4 before COVID canceled the rest of the year.
Brooke Glanden, who ranked second in the CAA with a .457 batting average, returns at first base and is joined on the right side of the infield by Brittney Mendoza, who hit .348 and tied Glanden for the league lead with 24 RBI.
Centerfielder Hanna Garber posted a .347 batting average a year ago, when she led the conference with five triples and ranked second with 17 stolen bases. Shortstop Karolina Flores hit .340 on the season, while catcher Chayanna Gallardo batted .317 and led the CAA with 10 doubles.
The Blue Hens posted a league-low 2.16 earned run average in 2020, led by Emily Winburn who went 6-2 with three saves and a 1.93 ERA. Kailey Christian, who went 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA, and Sarah Piening, who won all five of her decisions while recording a 2.30 ERA, also return in the circle for UD.
This year's CAA regular season schedule features each team playing 18 league games, with three-game home and away series against its other three division opponents. Five schools, the top two teams from each division plus a wild card selection, will advance to the CAA Tournament on May 12-15 at JMU's Veterans Memorial Park.
The Blue Hens earned 22 points and four first place votes to finish in the top spot of the division, followed by Drexel with 18 points and three first place votes. Towson was picked third with 16 points and one first place vote, while Hofstra was selected fourth with eight votes.
James Madison was tabbed to win the South Division, followed by Elon, Charleston and UNCW.
Delaware returns eight starters and three of its four pitchers from last year's squad which tied for the best start in program history by opening 19-4 before COVID canceled the rest of the year.
Brooke Glanden, who ranked second in the CAA with a .457 batting average, returns at first base and is joined on the right side of the infield by Brittney Mendoza, who hit .348 and tied Glanden for the league lead with 24 RBI.
Centerfielder Hanna Garber posted a .347 batting average a year ago, when she led the conference with five triples and ranked second with 17 stolen bases. Shortstop Karolina Flores hit .340 on the season, while catcher Chayanna Gallardo batted .317 and led the CAA with 10 doubles.
The Blue Hens posted a league-low 2.16 earned run average in 2020, led by Emily Winburn who went 6-2 with three saves and a 1.93 ERA. Kailey Christian, who went 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA, and Sarah Piening, who won all five of her decisions while recording a 2.30 ERA, also return in the circle for UD.
This year's CAA regular season schedule features each team playing 18 league games, with three-game home and away series against its other three division opponents. Five schools, the top two teams from each division plus a wild card selection, will advance to the CAA Tournament on May 12-15 at JMU's Veterans Memorial Park.
Players Mentioned
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