BOSTON, MASS - The Bryant University softball team was selected second in the America East preseason poll, voted by the coaches and announced by the conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Lexi Powell earned preseason All-America East honors for the first time in her career.
Binghamton was selected first (5), followed by
Bryant (1), UMBC, UAlbany, UMass Lowell, and Maine.
The Bulldogs are coming off their first AE championship appearance in DI program history, where the Black and Gold fell to Binghamton in the final game. Bryant ended the season with a 22-32 overall record and a conference record of 10-10, the second consecutive season of 10+ conference wins. In two seasons under head coach
Bianka Bell, the Black and Gold are 56-39 (.589 win PCT) and have produced 15 All-Conference selections.
Powell is coming off a career-best performance last season. She struck out a career-high 38 batters on the mound and pitched her first career complete game in the AE playoffs against Binghamton. Powell also saw time at first base and as a designated player. She produced two multi-hit games, including a career-high three hits versus Rhode Island (Apr. 2), and a two-RBI game against Maine (Mar. 23).
Softball Preseason Poll
Pl. School Pts. (1st)
1. Binghamton 25 (5)
2. Bryant 19 (1)
3. UMBC 15
4. UAlbany 13
5. UMass Lowell 11
6. Maine 7
Softball Preseason All-Conference
C Elisa Allen (Binghamton)
1B Emma Lawson (Binghamton)
2B Akira Kopec (Binghamton)
SS Amaya Carroll (UMBC)
3B Emily Riggs (UMBC)
OF Maddy Dodig (Binghamton)
OF Taylor Quinn (UAlbany)
OF Thyanais Santiago (UMass Lowell)
OF Ella Squaires (UMBC)
DP Rachel Carey (Binghamton)
UTIL Lexi Powell (Bryant)
P Olivia Decitise (UMass Lowell)
P Olivia Kennedy (Binghamton)
P Brianna Roberts (Binghamton)
