NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - Following an unprecedented run to the NCAA Division II National Tournament last year, the Wilmington University softball team will have the target on its back in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, being picked first to start the 2024 season according to the Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Wildcats earned first-place votes from all 11 other softball programs, accumulating 121 points overall to top the CACC Preseason Coaches Poll. Bridgeport was the only other team to collect a first-place votes, earning 109 points for second overall.
Wilmington went a program record 44-16 last year, going 21-3 in CACC play to capture their first every CACC Regular Season title. They went on to win their fourth CACC Tournament Championship, their second NCAA Division II East Region Tournament, and defeated Adelphi for their first ever NCAA Division II East Super Regional title to advance to the National Tournament.
Georgian Court, who the Wildcats defeated in the CACC Tournament and NCAA East 2 Regional Championship games, finished third in the poll with 91 points. Felician rounds out the expected teams to earn a home playoff game, finishing fourth with 90 points.
Caldwell earned 87 points to finish fifth followed by Holy Family (68 points), Goldey-Beacom (62), and Jefferson (44), as teams that are expected to make the CACC Tournament. Post collected 42 points for ninth followed by Bloomfield (38 points, Dominican (25 points), and Chestnut Hill (16 points).
The Wildcats' season begins on Saturday, February 17 when they travel down Route 1 to take on in-state and NCAA Division I foe Delaware State. They then travel to Florida before returning for their home-opener on March 12 against East Stroudsburg.
The 2024 CACC Softball regular season gets underway in early February with several teams in non-conference action. The regular season will be a buildup to the 2024 CACC Softball Championship in early May, with the first round at the highest seeds on April 27, followed by the four-team double-elimination tournament on May 2-4 at Wilmington University in Delaware. The winner of the CACC Championship will earn the league's AQ to the regional tournament.
2024 CACC SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Wilmington University 121 (11)
2. University of Bridgeport 108 (1)
3. Georgian Court University 91
4. Felician University 90
5. Caldwell University 87
6. Holy Family University 68
7. Goldey-Beacom College 62
8. Thomas Jefferson University 44
9. Post University 42
10. Bloomfield College 38
11. Dominican University 25
12. Chestnut Hill College 16
() - First-Place Votes