Newport News, Va. – Fordham softball has been predicted to successfully defend its Atlantic 10 Championship according to the annual preseason Atlantic 10 coaches poll, garnering six first-place votes of 10 total.
The Rams finished with 95 total points to top the preseason poll for the second time in the last five years. Saint Joseph's and George Washington each received a first-place vote and rounded out the top-three with 77 and 74 points, respectively. Also receiving votes were Dayton, predicted fourth with 70 points, and George Mason, seventh with 47 points. Wrapping up the top-five is Saint Louis with 62 points.
Massachusetts, with 49 points, is sixth and newcomers, Loyola Chicago, with 42 points, sandwich Mason. Rounding out the top-10 are Rhode Island (23) and St. Bonaventure (11).
Fordham won its ninth league title last season, finishing the regular season with a 27-19 record and went 3-1 in Fairfax, defeating George Washington in a sudden death contest. The Rams reached their 10
th NCAA Regional and competed in the Stillwater Regional, hosted by #7 Oklahoma State.
Among those who graduated in May were the program's all-time steals leader,
Brianna Pinto, and one of the program's foremost power hitters in
Rachel Hubertus. Returning this season are fifth-years
Julia Martine and
Sarah Taffet, plus
Bailey Enoch, named a First Team honoree last year and the A-10 Championship's Most Outstanding Player, and
Devon Miller, the 2021 Rookie of the Year.
The Rams kick off their 2023 campaign at the NFCA Leadoff Classic next weekend in Clearwater, Fla. Fordham will play both Auburn and Missouri, Back-to-back, on Friday, February 10
th, beginning at 4 p.m.
