official release from the desk of Darryl Konicki - Little East Conference Associate Commissioner

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The University of Southern Maine has been named the favorite to win the Little East Conference (LEC) softball title, according to the results of the 2023 LEC Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll. The Huskies totaled 59 points and received four first-place votes. They posted an overall record of 24-16 a year ago, and tied for second in the LEC with a 13-3 league record.
 
UMass Dartmouth was just two points back of USM in the coaches' poll, totaling 57 points and three first-place votes. The Corsairs final record stood at 33-10-1 last season, which ended in the LEC tournament final following a 13-3 regular season in conference play.
 
Defending LEC regular season and tournament champion Eastern Connecticut State University was picked to finish third this season, totaling 55 points and securing two first-place votes. The Warriors, who lost a number of key contributors from their 2022 squad, went 44-7 last season as they won the NCAA regional and super regional championships on their way to a berth in the College World Series.
 
Also projected to be in the 2023 LEC tournament field are Castleton University (41 points), Rhode Island College (31 points) and UMass Boston (29 points). The complete poll results are as follows.
 
2023 LEC PRESEASON SOFTBALL COACHES' POLL
 
Team - Points (FPV)
1. Southern Maine - 59 (4)
2. UMass Dartmouth - 57 (3)
3. Eastern Connecticut - 55 (2)
4. Castleton - 41
5. Rhode Island College - 31
6. UMass Boston - 29
7. Plymouth State - 26
8. Western Connecticut - 18
9. Keene State - 8

BASEBALL
 
The University of Southern Maine has been named the favorite to win the Little East Conference (LEC) baseball championship, according to the results of the 2023 LEC Preseason Baseball Coaches' Poll. The Huskies totaled 57 points and received four first-place votes. They posted an overall record of 21-19 a year ago, and finished fourth in the LEC with a 10-6 league record.
 
Rhode Island College was picked to finish second in the LEC in 2023, totaling 53 points and two first place votes, putting the Anchormen just a single point in front of defending LEC and National Champion Eastern Connecticut State University and UMass Boston.
 
The Warriors lost a number of players to graduation after going 49-3 overall last season, closing the year out with a 23-game winning streak on their way to winning the fifth NCAA Division III title in program history. The Anchormen went 29-10-1 in 2022, and finished second in the LEC with a 13-3 league record, while the Beacons finished third in the LEC (11-5) on their way to a 26-17 overall record.

Also projected to be in the 2023 LEC tournament field are UMass Dartmouth (36 points) and Castleton University (24 points). The complete poll results are as follows.
 
Team - Points (FPV)
1. Southern Maine - 57 (4)
2. Rhode Island College - 53 (2)
T3. Eastern Connecticut - 52 (2)
T3. UMass Boston - 52 (1)
5. UMass Dartmouth - 36
6. Castleton - 24
7. Plymouth State - 20
8. Keene State - 17
9. Western Connecticut - 13
 
NOTE: Head coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.