C2C Softball Preview: Sea Gulls Favored in Preseason Poll
Reigning conference champions Salisbury will lead the 2022 Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Softball Preseason Poll following a survey of the C2C head coaches.
The 2022 season begins this Saturday (Feb. 19) and concludes with the double-elimination C2C Softball Championship taking place May 5, 6 & 7 hosted by Christopher Newport University. Teams will be seeded based on Massey Ratings and will be finalized the Monday before the tournament.
Below is a brief preview of each team entering the 2022 season:
#1 Salisbury: Salisbury returns a veteran lineup to the field in 2022 looking to defend its C2C crown. The junior-heavy Sea Gulls are led by National Fastpitch Coaches Association Player of the Year finalist, All-American and C2C Player of the Year outfielder Abby Mace. The lineup also features infielders Maddison Lednum and Natalie Paoli, who both earned All-C2C honors a year ago. The Sea Gulls also has depth in the circle with C2C Pitcher of the Year and All-Region selection Lindsey Windsor and All-C2C First Team honoree Savannah Sheats.
#2 Christopher Newport: Christopher Newport University is ranked 19th in the country in the pre-season national Top 25 poll from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The 2022 CNU squad features 15 returning student-athletes, including All-American and former National Rookie of the Year Kaitlyn Hasty, now a senior. The Captains will feature a veteran lineup, with almost every spot in the order filled by a returning player. The Captains, however, will have to look to youth in the circle, as three freshmen will be relied on to handle the bulk of the pitching chores.
#3 Mary Washington: Mary Washington will look to again challenge for the C2C title, as the Eagles welcome back a strong contingent from 2021. Sophomore pitcher Caitlyn Burch, who won nine games en route to all-C2C second team honors last season returns, as does second team all-conference first baseman Emma Schieda, who hit .342 to lead the team in '21. In all, the Eagles welcome back eight starters, including three-year starters Maggie Mrowka and Caroline Bird, who will provide leadership and offensive punch to the lineup.
#4 Finlandia: New is the key word for Finlandia in 2022. The Lions have just four returning players. The top returner is senior Rheanna Bain who was All-C2C second team in 2021.
#5 Mount Mary: The Mount Mary University softball team brings a youthful excitement to the 2022 season. Coach Clark has recruited 12 freshman to compete with the upperclassmen. Losing just one starter from last year, the Blue Angels are working hard to build on the foundation that previous teams have poured. The 2022 team is pursuing its first winning season in school history. "It is going to take the entire 24 person roster to achieve that goal, but they have been working hard in the off-season and now pre-season," stated Clark. "We have great leadership and the freshman class is hungry to prove themselves on the field. It will be an exciting year."