LANCASTER, Pa. – Cabrini collects four first place votes to claim the top spot in the 2023 Atlantic East Conference Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Cavaliers edged out Marywood who collected three first place nods and 33 points in the poll.

Cabrini will look to the reigning Player of the Year, Ariana Mirenda to lead the team. Mirenda tallied a .463 average, with 50 hits, 8 doubles, and a .630 slugging percentage for the year. Including Mirenda the Cavaliers return three of their first team all-conference members.

Marywood returns four first team all-conference members including the 2022 Rookie of the Year Lindsey Jason and 2022 Pitcher of the Year to Mara Hamm. Hamm tallied 84 strikeouts and finished with a conference best 1.30 ERA. Marywood won the conference regular season crown in 2022 and will look to repeat this season.

Tied for third in the polls was Neumann and Marymount with 22 points apiece. Marymount returns all four of their all conference second team members to the squad, while the Knights return their All Conference Second team member from a season ago.  

Immaculata tallied 19 points for fifth in the polls. Centenary and Gwynedd Mercy close out the polls with 10 and 9 points respectively.

The season opens today as Marymount sees the first action against Shenandoah at 5pm. Neumann is set to open the season Saturday February 25 against Messiah. Cabrini will have their first game against Messiah on Sunday February 26. Centenary will play first on March 3, while  Gwynedd Mercy opens on March 10. Marywood starts the season on their spring break trip on March 13. Conference action will begin on March 18 with matchups Immaculata and Centenary, and Marymount and Cabrini.
 
The 2023 Atlantic East Tournament will get underway the weekends of May 5-6 and May 12-13.

1. Cabrini - 33 (4)
2. Marywood - 32 (3)
T3. Neumann - 22
T3. Marymount - 22
5. Immaculata - 19
6. Centenary - 10
7. Gwynedd Mercy - 9