FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield University softball team collected the third spot in the 2024 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Coaches Poll which was announced on Tuesday morning. The Stags garnered 86 points in the poll which was based upon the vote of the conference's head coaches.

Marist College earned the top spot in this year's preseason poll by gaining eight of the 11 first-place votes and a poll-best 118 points. Canisius University garnered the other three votes in the poll and landed second based on the 100 points received from the coaches vote. Following Fairfield, Mount St. Mary's (84 points) and Siena College (76 points) rounded out the top five teams in the annual ranking. 

Iona University (60 points) and Rider University (51 points) were next with the sixth and seventh slots while Saint Peter's University (48 points), Saint Peter's University (39 points), Manhattan College (34 points), and Niagara University (20 points) completed the 11-team poll. 

The Stags received the placement after coming off a 22-win season in 2023 including regular-season ending run of nine wins over the final 11 games. The surge sent Fairfield into the MAAC Tournament for the 12th straight season and the 22nd time under Head Coach Julie Brzezinski.

Fairfield returns several of its top offensive players from a year ago, starting with All-MAAC outfielder Charli Warren. The junior posted an impressive .342 batting average with team-bests in hits (51) and stolen bases (24) over her 47 games started. Rookie Delaney Whieldon also made an impression with her .270 batting average highlighted by her 23 RBI which ranks first among returning players. Megan Forbes also returns after registering 11 extra-base hits which includes a team-best nine doubles.

The pitching staff will be anchored by Allie Bridgman and Alyssa Weinberg, both of whom secured six victories in the pitching circle. Bridgman broke the century mark with 103.1 innings pitched over 22 appearances, fanning 59 throughout the season. Weinberg averaged nearly a strikeout per inning pitched, completing the season with 81 strikeouts in 87-plus innings pitched. 

Fairfield begins the 2024 season with a five-game set at the East Carolina University tournament which includes Marshall University, Longwood University and the host school. The Stags will open with Marshall and East Carolina on February 16 and follow up with a game against East Carolina and Longwood on February 17. Fairfield's three-day stay comes to an end with another single game versus Marshall on February 18.