RICHMOND, VA -- The University of Delaware softball team received 16 points and was picked seventh in the 2008 Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll announced by the league on Wednesday.

Hofstra, which has claimed all six CAA Championships since joining the league along with Delaware in 2002, received all seven first-place votes and the maximum 49 points, as coaches could not vote for their own teams. James Madison picked up the other first place vote and was picked second with 41 points, while Georgia State was selected third with 39 points. UNC Wilmington was picked fourth with 26 points, followed by Towson with 23 points, Drexel with 21 points, Delaware with 16 points and George Mason with nine po ints.

Delaware, which will be led by 28th-year head coach B.J. Ferguson, returns eight starters and welcomes four newcomers for the 2008 season. The Blue Hens went 16-26-3 last year and finished in a tie for sixth place in the CAA standings with a 7-13 league mark.

Delaware will be paced by junior shortstop Kim Ovittore (at right), who earned second team All-CAA honors last season after leading Delaware with a .369 batting average, 52 hits, 24 runs scored, 14 doubles, four triples, 29 RBI, 80 total bases and 16 walks. Senior centerfielder Katie Lee batted .294 a year ago with 35 hits and 21 runs scored, while senior second baseman Allison Borchers hit .278 while also posting 35 hits and 21 runs scored.

The Blue Hen pitching staff will be led by sophomore Samantha Shawn, who went 4-8 with a 3.36 earned run average and 50 strikeouts during her rookie season. Fellow sophomore Michelle Kenney posted a 2-2 record with a 2.52 ERA and 11 strikeouts.

The Blue Hens open their 2008 season on February 29 when Delaware faces UNC Greensboro and Liberty on the first day of the East Carolina Pirate Clash. Delaware will play its home opener on March 4 when the Blue Hens host Pennsylvania at Delaware Field in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

2008 CAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Hofstra (7) - 49
2. James Madison (1) - 41
3. Georgia State - 39
4. UNC Wilmington - 26
5. Towson - 23
6. Drexel - 21
7. Delaware - 16
8. George Mason - 9