Softball Picked to Successfully Defend A-10 Title

League Release

Newport News, Va. – The four-time defending Atlantic 10 champion Fordham softball team has been picked to successfully defend its title, the league announced on Wednesday afternoon, earning nine first-place votes and 99 total votes. The annual preseason poll is conducted by the 10 head coaches of the A-10.
 
Dayton was picked to finish second, gathering 87 points, following by Saint Joseph's, earning the final first-place vote, Massachusetts, and Saint Louis to round out the top-five. George Washington and George Mason were picked to finish sixth and seventh, respectively, La Salle and St. Bonaventure ended up tied for eighth with 25 points, and Rhode Island rounds out the list.
 
The 2017 A-10 Championship will be hosted by George Mason in Fairfax, Va. May 10-13.
 
The Rams enjoyed a tremendous 2016 campaign, winning a program-best 18 conference contests and garnering a program-best 13 end-of-season honors, including head coach Bridget Orchard's sixth Coach of the Year award, Lindsay Mayer's Player of the Year, and Jessica Hughes as Rookie of the Year.
 
The 39-21 Rams had a dramatic push to get their fourth consecutive championship, and fifth in the past six years, after losing their opening contest, 1-0, to Saint Joseph's. Due to both weather and the loss of light after Fordham's walk-off 1-0 win over second-seeded Dayton in 12 innings the following day, the Rams had to win three straight games on Sunday. Fordham downed Massachusetts, 6-2, in the morning before back-to-back wins over the Hawks. Fordham headed to Eugene, Ore., for NCAA Regionals and the season came to a close with losses to the #5 Ducks and Long Beach State.
 
The Rams return all eight starters from a year ago, losing only starting pitcher Rachel Gillen, and have brought six newcomers in, as well, including three pitchers to pair with All-Conference Second Team selection senior Lauren Quense. Returnees this spring also include First Team honorees Sydney Canessa, Madison Shaw, and Amy Van Hoven in addition to Mayer, Hughes, All-Rookie member Chelsea Skrepenak, junior outfielder Morgan Figueroa, and senior catcher Ally Vergona.
 
The 2017 campaign kicks off against top-25 teams Baylor and Arizona next Thursday, February 9, beginning at 7 p.m. EST at the Wildcats' Hillenbrand Invitational. Fordham's home opener is set for Wednesday, March 22, against Iona.