BOSTON - The University at Albany softball team has been picked to finish first in the 2025 America East Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Tuesday.
 
UAlbany earned 23 points, with three first-place votes, to earn the rank. Reigning champions, the Great Danes finished the 2024 season with a trip to the NCAA Regionals after defeating UMass Lowell in the America East Championship.
 
Binghamton is closely behind UAlbany with 22 points, including two first-place votes. Bryant rounds out the top three with 14 points. UMass Lowell and UMBC are tied for fourth with 13 points each. The River Hawks hold a slight edge in the poll with the final first-place vote. Maine rounds out the poll with six votes.
 
For the first time, the America East Conference added a Preseason All-Conference Team for the sport of softball. Two Great Danes have been named to the team in its inaugural year - redshirt-senior Kate Powers and sophomore Mary Kate Murray.
 
In 2024, Kate Powers ranked third in the conference with a 2.41 ERA and second with four shutouts. Powers was the secondary starting pitcher for the Great Danes behind 2024 America East Pitcher of the Year Wendi Hammond.
 
Murray was the only freshman on the starting lineup in 2024. Often playing first base, the New Jersey native finished the season top 10 in the conference in RBI (33) and top 20 with five home runs. On the team, Murray's 33 RBI was good enough for third, behind 2024 First Team All-Conference honorees Morgan Petty and Maddi Petrella.
 
For the full preseason poll and preseason team, see below.
 
UAlbany is scheduled to open the 2025 season at the Charlotte Invitational starting February 21.
 
2025 America East Softball Preseason Poll 
No.        School                           Points (1^st place votes)

1. UAlbany                             23 (3)
2. Binghamton                       22 (2)
3. Bryant                                14
4. UMass Lowell                    13 (1)
5. UMBC                                13 
6. Maine                                  6

 
2025 America East Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
C - Elisa Allen (Binghamton)
1B - Mary Kate Murray (UAlbany)
2B - Emily Riggs (UMBC)
3B - Amya Lundy (UMBC)
SS - Amaya Carroll (UMBC)
SS - Sam Rohwer (UMBC)
OF - Makenna Coleman (Bryant)
OF - Brianna Santos (Binghamton)
OF - Ella Squaires (UMBC)
DP - Emma Lawson (Binghamton)
UTL - Lindsey Walter (Binghamton)
P - Kya Matter (UMBC)
P - Kate Powers (UAlbany)
P - Brianna Roberts (Binghamton)
 
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