(Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics)
Hempstead, N.Y. – The Hofstra Softball program was picked to win its third consecutive Colonial Athletic Association crown in the preseason poll released today.
Hofstra earned a league-best 35 points and five-first place votes in the poll that was voted on by the league’s seven head coaches. James Madison, which earned a pair of first-place votes, was picked second with 32 total points. The College of Charleston, which will be entering its first season of CAA play, tied with Delaware for the third spot with 23 points. Towson (17), UNCW (10) and Drexel (7) rounded out the voting.
The Pride returns 11 letter-winners, including a pair of fifth-year seniors and All-CAA honorees in outfielder Rachael Senatore and shortstop Becca Bigler. Hofstra received votes in both the NFCA and ESPN preseason national polls and returns the bulk of the lineup that helped Hofstra set a program record for victories following a 46-13 showing in 2013. Last season, Hofstra won the CAA title and advanced to the NCAA Regional finals.
As the team’s starting shortstop, Bigler hit 12 home runs and drove in 41 runs from a premium defensive position to earn All-CAA second team accolades. Senatore is coming off a red-shirt season for an injury, but was a force as the leadoff hitter in 2012 for the Pride batting .364 with 71 hits and 38 runs scored and earning first-team All-CAA honors.
Hofstra also welcomes back All-CAA first team member Erin Trippi, who moved from the team’s primary DP to the starting catcher in 2012. She helped Hofstra pitchers register a 1.67 ERA a year ago while batting .315. Second-team All-CAA honoree senior Tori Rocha returns at second base (.285, 17 RBI, 45 H).
All-CAA first team and NFCA All-region selection Caryn Bailey returns, as do fellow sophomores Chloe Fitzgerald and Maggie Hawkins. All three were starters as freshmen and are looking to help Hofstra make another run to the NCAA Tournament.
Hofstra will start the 2014 campaign on Friday, Feb. 14 at noon with Opening day against Southern Mississippi. The Pride will play five games in a three-day span at the Florida State Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla.
