Arcadia Athletics

Arcadia named favorite in MAC Freedom Softball Coaches’ Preseason Poll

The Knights collected four first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 60 points

1/24/2023 11:00:00 AM

ANNVILLE, Pa. (Softball) – The Arcadia Knights were selected as the favorite in the 2023 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom softball coaches. The Knights collected four first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 60 points. Misericordia followed with three first-place votes, while Stevens earned two.

Below is the complete 2023 MAC Freedom Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
 
2023 MAC Freedom Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll
Rank Team Points (1st Place Votes)
1 Arcadia 60 (4)
2 Misericordia 56 (3)
3 Stevens 55 (2)
4 King’s 40
5 DeSales 34
6 FDU - Florham 31
7 Wilkes 19
8 Delaware Valley 18
9 Lycoming 11
In 2022, Stevens defeated Arcadia to win its second-consecutive conference title. The Ducks finished 9-7 in conference play to earn the fourth-seed in the tournament. Stevens knocked off top-seeded Misericorida in the conference semifinal.
 
Stevens’ season came to an end in the NCAA Regional to No. 23 Babson. The Ducks finished the 2022 season with a 19-18 overall record. Arcadia earned an at-large bid and advanced to the NCAA Regional Final. The Knights’ season ended in a loss to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, they finished with a 32-11 overall record.
 
The 2023 season is set to begin on Saturday, Feb. 18. Conference play will begin on Saturday, March 18, with a 16-game schedule.
 
The 2023 MAC Freedom Softball Championship is set for May 4-6th. The top-five seeds will battle for the conference title and the NCAA Division III Championship automatic qualifier (AQ).