1/23/2024 2:05:00 PM | Softball
LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell softball team has been selected third in the 2024 America East Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.Â
The River Hawks, who finished the 2023 season with a 21-29-1 record overall and a conference record of 8-12, received 17 points in this year's poll, marking the fifth time in the last six years that they have been tabbed in the top three. This third-place selection encapsulates the many returners on this year's squad, along with several talented newcomers being added in 2024. Â
UMBC took the top spot in the preseason poll for the fourth season in a row, after receiving 23 points and four first-place votes. Binghamton followed, earning a second-place nod with 22 points and two first-place votes to finish just ahead of the River Hawks. UAlbany took the fourth spot with 14 points, while Maine (9 points) and Bryant (5 points) rounded out the voting.
Head Coach Jen Starek's squad includes 13 returning players and five newcomers, all vying to make an immediate impact. They will kick off the 2024 campaign with a trip to the Texas, participating at the Lion Classic, hosted by Texas A&M-Commerce from February 9-11. They will take on Texas Southern and Texas A&M-Commerce on opening day.  Â
