ANNVILLE, Pa. (Softball) – The Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen were selected as the favorite in the 2023 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth softball coaches. The Flying Dutchmen collected six first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 61 points. York (Pa.) followed with two first-place votes, while Messiah received one.
Below is the complete 2023 MAC Commonwealth Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
In 2022, Messiah, Lebanon Valley and York all finished 11-5 in conference play to earn a share of the MAC Commonwealth Regular-Season Title. Messiah would defeat Lebanon Valley in the conference championship game to earn its 11th MAC crown.
Messiah’s season came to an end in the NCAA Regional Final to top-seeded Christopher Newport. The Falcons finished the 2022 season with a 28-15 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 Commonwealth 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).