University of Delaware Athletics
Softball Picked to Finish Second, Five Blue Hens Named to CAA Preseason Watch List
2/7/2023 2:20:00 PM | Softball
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware softball team was selected to finish second in the 2023 CAA Softball Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday. Additionally, five Blue Hens were named to the 2023 CAA Softball Preseason Watch List.
The Blue & Gold, which won its first regular season championship in 2022, earned five first-place votes and 91 points overall to finish second in the preseason poll behind UNCW (5, 95). Hofstra (1, 80) was picked to finish third while Elon (71) and Stony Brook (69) rounded out the top five.
Delaware had a league-high five players selected to the preseason watch list. Fifth-year infielders Hanna Garber and Brittney Mendoza, as well as senior pitcher Emily Winburn were All-CAA First Team selections a year ago, while Garber was also the CAA Defensive Player of the Year in her first season at third base. Junior outfielder Julz Garber and sophomore pitcher Graceyn Frost were both also on the watch list after being named to the All-CAA Second Team last spring. Frost was also a member of the All-CAA Rookie Team.
The Blue Hens open the 2023 season this weekend when the team travels to Texas to compete in the 2023 Bearkat Classic, hosted by Sam Houston State, and the Houston Invitational. Delaware will play UTSA (11 a.m.) and Sam Houston (6:30 p.m.) on Friday before taking on UTSA (11 a.m.) and Northwestern State (1:30 p.m.) on Saturday. The weekend will conclude with a matchup at Houston (1:30 p.m.) on Sunday.
2023 CAA Softball Preseason Poll
1. UNCW (5) 95
2. Delaware (5) 91
3. Hofstra (1) 80
4. Elon 71
5. Stony Brook 69
6. Charleston 54
7. Drexel 45
8. Towson 33
9. Monmouth 31
10. Hampton 21
11. NC A&T 15
For the latest on the Delaware softball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_SB and Instagram @delaware_sb and like "Delaware Softball" on Facebook.
