EAST STROUDSBURG -- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced on Tuesday afternoon that the East Stroudsburg University softball team was selected to finish third in the annual PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
ESU is coming off of one of its most successful seasons in program history in 2021, posting a 29-16 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region championship round for the first time.
The Warriors return the majority of its impressive lineup that posted its best team batting average since 1977 (.307) and set school records in both stolen bases and fielding percentage. ESU returns its entire starting infield in Rachel Sieverd (1B), Molly Nies (2B), all-PSAC and all-region selection Reilly Vicendese (3B) and Lexi Wright (SS).
Infielder Denva Shaw-Tait returns to the Poconos after missing the 2021 season. The New Zealand native batted .350 and started in all 15 games during the abbreviated 2020 season.
Former All-PSAC catcher Kaitlyn Caleen returns behind the plate for her fifth season. She enters her final season of eligibility ranked seventh in on-base percentage, 18th in slugging percentage, 13th in home runs, 18th in extra-base hits, 16th in runs scored, 12th in RBIs and second all-time in walks.
In the outfield, the Warriors will look to replace Marissa Govan in center, but welcome back experience corner pieces in Ashley Spencer (LF) and speedster Sofia Cecchin (RF). Spencer ranks ninth among all Warriors in RBIs, while Cecchin is third in career stolen bases.
West Chester, defending PSAC and NCAA Division II Atlantic Region champions, was selected to win the conference, earning six first-place votes. Kutztown was picked to finish second, totaling three first-place votes.
In the circle, the Warriors will have to replace its first-ever PSAC East Pitcher of the Year in Marah Range. ESU does return Leigh Ann Jenkins, who led the Warriors in ERA. Her 5.9 strikeouts per seven innings ranks second all-time at ESU. Along with Jenkins, Morgan Chapman and Mickayla Grow return to the roster. The Warriors welcome new faces in Lock Haven transfer Paige Zigmund, Spain native Ariadna Cerda Bermejo, Jenna Crampton, Katie Zaun, Madison Chapman and 2021 redshirt Alexa Hopper.
Additional newcomers to the roster among position players include Holly Soto (OF), Brooke McKeown (OF), Shannon Edelman (C/UTIL), Abigail Weirich and Annie Bechtold.
After ESU, Shepherd (4th), Shippensburg (5th), Bloomsburg (6th), Lock Haven (7th), Millersville (8th) and Mansfield (9th) round out the east poll.
Out in the PSAC West, defending division champion Seton Hill was picked to repeat, earning seven first-place votes. Gannon, the second-place selection earned the remaining two first place votes.
Following the Griffins and Golden Knights are Cal U (3rd), IUP (4th), Mercyhurst (5th), Edinboro (6th), Clarion (T-7th), Slippery Rock (T-7th) and Pitt-Johnstown (9th).
ESU opens its season with the Warriors Snowball Invitational from, February 25-27, when the Warriors welcome Saint Rose, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Anselm to Creekview Park.
PSAC EAST (# of First-Place Votes)
1. West Chester (6)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Shepherd
5. Shippensburg
6. Bloomsburg
7. Lock Haven
8. Millersville
9. Mansfield
PSAC WEST
1. Seton Hill (7)
2. Gannon (2)
3. Cal U
4. IUP
5. Mercyhurst
6. Edinboro
T7. Clarion
T7. Slippery Rock
9. Pitt-Johnstown
