BOSTON – The UMBC Softball team claimed its fourth straight #AESB Title last year and was picked first in the 2024 #AESB Preseason poll, in a vote of the league’s coaches released on Tuesday afternoon.
The Retrievers seek to become the first softball program to win five straight conference championships, after taking home four first-place votes and 23 points overall. Binghamton was selected second with two first place votes and 22 total points. UMass Lowell took third with 17 points while 2023 runner-up UAlbany was selected fourth. Maine (9) and Bryant (5) round out the top six.
2024 Softball Preseason Poll
| School |
Points (1st) |
| 1. UMBC |
23 (4) |
| 2. Binghamton |
22 (2) |
| 3. UMass Lowell |
17 |
| 4. UAlbany |
14 |
| 5. Maine |
9 |
| 6. Bryant |
5 |
What to Watch For:
- UMBC returns six players to its lineup who started at least 25 games last year, led by First-Team All-Conference selection Ashley Della Guardia. The Retrievers also return First-Teamer Kya Matter who tied for the league lead in wins and strikeouts while ranking second in ERA.
- Binghamton brings back five all-conference selections in 2024, including the first-team honoree Lindsey Walter and #AESB Rookie of the Year Brianna Roberts.
- The River Hawks have three all-conference returners this season, led by first-team selection Morgan Fisher.
- Two-time #AESB Player of the Year Morgan Petty should anchor the UAlbany offense once again, and is one of four Great Danes on the roster who were all-conference selections in 2023.
The season begins on Feb. 9 with Binghamton, UMass Lowell and Maine each playing a doubleheader on the road. All three teams play two more contests on Saturday as well. UMBC and Bryant open the following week, while UAlbany gets underway on Feb. 23. Conference play begins on March 23 as Bryant hosts Binghamton, UMBC welcomes Maine and UAlbany travels to UMass Lowell.
All six teams qualify for the 2024 America East Softball Championship, which will be held at the University of Maine. The first round of game in the double round robin tournament will begin on May 8, with the championship game set for May 11. The conference winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Fans will once again be able to watch nearly every #AESB home contest this season. Select games will air on The AE on ESPN while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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