NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Following a record-breaking season which saw a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship and a host bid in the NCAA Regional Tournament, the Wilmington University softball team has been picked to finish first in the 2020 CACC Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced today by the conference office.
It is the first time in program history that the Wildcats have been picked first, besting their previous mark of being picked second in a few seasons, as recently as last year. The Wildcats earned nine first place votes and tallied 177 total points to claim the top spot.
The Wildcats came out of the elimination bracket in the CACC Tournament last year, winning three games on Championship Saturday to reclaim the crown. It was their third CACC Championship since 2014.
Caldwell picked up three first-place votes and 166 total points to take second, while the team the Wildcats beat twice in the Championship, Georgian Court earned a first-place vote and 165 total points for third overall. Dominican claimed the final first-place vote and totaled 147 points for fourth place.
Post took the fifth spot with 128 points while Jefferson picked up 119 points for sixth. Nyack earned 100 points for seventh while Bloomfield rounds out the top eight and the expected postseason participants with 86 points.
Felician finished ninth with 81 points while Chestnut Hill and USciences finished in a tie for 10th with 74 points each. Concordia takes 12th with 52 points followed by Goldey-Beacom in 13th with 47. Holy Family rounds out the CACC Preseason Poll with 40 points.
The top eight teams at the end of the regular season will head to Lakewood, New Jersey to take part in the double-elimination CACC Tournament hosted by Georgian Court at the CACC Festival.
The Wildcats' season begins on Sunday, March 1 against Western Oregon in Clermont, Florida.
AGATE:
2020 CACC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Wilmington University 177 (9)
2. Caldwell University 166 (3)
3. Georgian Court University 165 (1)
4. Dominican College 147 (1)
5. Post University 128
6. Thomas Jefferson University 119
7. Nyack College 100
8. Bloomfield College 86
9. Felician University 81
T10. Chestnut Hill College 74
T10. University of the Sciences 74
12. Concordia College 52
13. Goldey-Beacom College 47
14. Holy Family University 40
() - First-Place Votes