CACC Reveals Softball Preseason Poll

Softball | 2/3/2017 12:00:00 AM

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Goldey-Beacom always has faced stiff competition from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and once again in 2017 with the release of the league's preseason poll, as voted on by the league's coaches.

The youth that has been on the squad the last few seasons now add another year with eight of the 15 players either a junior or senior. This experience will hop to play a big role in the Lightning's chances of returning to the CACC Tournament.

Play in the CACC begins March 18 at Nyack and ends April 29 at Bloomfield. Another key doubleheader in the league is a trip to reigning-conference-champion Wilmington (DE) on April 12.

CACC teams face each other twice for a total of 26 league games per school.

The conference tournament takes place May 4-6 at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. The top eight teams in the standings compete in the double-elimination foray.

Among the top players back include junior Kelsey Brandle (Bethlehem, PA), who looks to be the starting shortstop a third consecutive season. She finished last season 40th in the CACC with a .295 batting average, tied for 17th with six stolen bases, tied for 21st with five sacrifice hits and first on the team with 33 hits.

Senior utility player Paulynn Mao (Anaheim, CA) enters the season with 87 career hits and last season was tied for 83rd in the country with three sacrifice flies, first on the team with 12 RBI and fourth with 28 hits. Sophomore Rachel Davis (Bethel, DE) stepped in at third base and had impressive campaign in closing fourth on the team with a .232 batting average, third with 29 hits, tied for third with five doubles and fourth with 10 RBI.

In the circle, sophomore Alyssa Giampolo (East Windsor, NJ) made a big impact by closing 27th in the CACC with 33 strikeouts, 16th with nine complete games and 17th with 111 innings pitched. She also batted .306, but did not have enough at-bats to qualify among the league leaders.

2017 CACC Softball Preseason Poll

1. Caldwell                               191 pts. (10 first-place votes)
2. Wilmington (DE)                  181 pts. (4)
3. Dominican (NY)                   168 pts.
4. Holy Family                          154 pts.
5. Post                                     142 pts.
6. Bloomfield                           106 pts.
7. Concordia (NY)                   102 pts.
8. Philadelphia U.                     92 pts.
9. Felician                                 82 pts.
10. Chestnut Hill                      66 pts.
11. U. of the Sciences              65 pts.
12. Georgian Court                   56 pts.
13. Nyack                                 39 pts.
14. Goldey-Beacom                 26 pts.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Kelsey Brandle: UT; 5' 3"; Junior; R/R

#7 Rachel Davis: IF; 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R

#22 Alyssa Giampolo: P/3B; 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R

#23 Paulynn Mao: P/IF; 5' 2"; Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#1 Kelsey Brandle
: 5' 3"; Junior; R/R
: UT

#7 Rachel Davis
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#22 Alyssa Giampolo
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R
: P/3B

#23 Paulynn Mao
: 5' 2"; Senior; R/R
: P/IF