ANNVILLE, Pa. (Softball) – The Stevens Ducks were selected as the favorite in the 2022 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) softball coaches. The Ducks collected 59 points and five first-place votes from opposing MAC Freedom coaches.
Below is the complete 2022 MAC Freedom Softball Coaches’ Preseason Poll.
| 2022 MAC Freedom Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll |
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
(1st Place Votes) |
| 1 |
Stevens |
59 |
(5) |
|
| 2 |
Arcadia |
56 |
(2) |
|
| 3 |
Misericordia |
55 |
(2) |
|
| 4 |
King's |
43 |
|
|
| 5 |
DeSales |
33 |
|
|
| t6 |
Lycoming |
26 |
|
|
| t6 |
Wilkes |
26 |
|
|
| 8 |
FDU-Florham |
18 |
|
|
| 9 |
Delaware Valley |
8 |
|
|
In 2021, Stevens claimed their first MAC Freedom conference title in school history with a 6-1 victory over the Misericordia Cougars. Senior Madison Gemma sealed the win for the Ducks with a go-ahead two-run opposite field home run in the sixth inning.
The Ducks advanced to the program’s first NCAA tournament but fell short with a pair of losses to SUNY-Geneseo and York College of Pennsylvania. Stevens ended their season with a 22-9 overall record and 15-3 conference record.
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III preseason poll will be announced Tuesday, Feb. 8 and each following Tuesday through the end of the 2022 season.
The 2022 season is set to begin Saturday, Feb. 19. Conference play will begin on Saturday, Mar 19 with a 16-game seven-week schedule.
The 2022 MAC Freedom Softball Championship is set for May 5-7. The top-five seeds will battle for the conference title and the NCAA Division III Championship automatic qualifier (AQ).