NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Defending Atlantic 10 Champion George Washington has been picked to repeat in 2022 according to the preseason poll conducted by the league’s nine head coaches, which was announced Wednesday.
The Colonials garnered 74 poll points and four first-place votes. GW was 37-11 overall last year, 23-1 in conference play and captured both the A-10 regular-season title and the conference championship. First-year coach Chrissy Schoonmaker has the services of 2021 A-10 Pitcher of the Year Sierra Lange again this season, along with All-Conference First Team utility player Alessandra Ponce.
Fordham, the most successful program over the past decade with six A-10 titles, was picked second. The Rams earned 71 poll points with three first-place votes. Fordham was 17-3 in league play in 2021 and 37-10 overall and return 2021 A-10 Rookie of the Year Devon Miller, a right-handed pitcher.
Saint Joseph's was picked third with two first-place votes and 55 total points. The Hawks were 19-3 in the A-10 last season and 26-20 overall. Massachusetts was fourth in the poll with 54 total points, and is coming off a season where they finished 16-17 overall and 12-12 in league play.
The runner-up in the 2021 championship, Dayton was picked fifth with 53 points, followed by Saint Louis in sixth with 42 points and George Mason in seventh with 25 points. Rhode Island and St. Bonaventure rounded out the poll.
The 2022 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship will be hosted at the George Mason Softball Complex May 11-14 in Fairfax, Va.
2022 Softball Predicted Order of Finish
(Number of first place votes in parenthesis)
- George Washington – 74 (4)
- Fordham – 71 (3)
- Saint Joseph's – 55 (2)
- Massachusetts - 54
- Dayton - 53
- Saint Louis - 42
- George Mason - 25
- Rhode Island - 20
- St. Bonaventure - 11