TOWSON, Md. - The Towson University softball team was picked fourth in a tie in the 2019 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Preseason Coaches' Poll released Wednesday morning.

For the fifth straight year, James Madison earned the top spot, receiving seven first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team) for 49 points. College of Charleston was chosen to finish second (one first place vote, 39 points). UNCW (33) was picked third and Towson received 28 points tying Hofstra for fourth. Elon (21) was picked sixth, Delaware (14) was picked seventh and Drexel (12) was picked eight.

Towson was 42-19 overall and ended the 2018 season ranked fifth nationally in batting (.327) and in doubles per game (1.66). The Tigers also finished seventh in scoring (6.18), 11th in slugging percentage (.500), and 16th in on-base percentage (.400).

The Tigers begin their 56-game schedule by competing in the USC Upstate Tournament. Towson's season opener will be Friday, Feb. 8 against Miami (OH). Towson's home opener is slated for March 1 versus Yale in the Towson Invitational.
Conference play for the Tigers will begin Saturday, March 23 as they travel to Wilmington, North Carolina to face UNCW. Towson's first home CAA opponent is James Madison on March 30 at noon.

The 2019 CAA Softball Championship will be hosted by James Madison University and will take place at the Duke's Veterans Memorial Park. Action is set to begin Wednesday, May 8 with the championship game scheduled for Friday, May 10.