Charleston, which welcomes back seven all-conference standouts from last year’s 37-20 squad, was the overwhelming favorite to capture the 2023 CAA baseball championship, according to a vote of the league’s head baseball coaches.

The Cougars received nine of a possible 10 first-place votes and 99 total points to finish atop the preseason poll. 

Perennial power UNCW got one first-place vote and ranked second with 84 points. 

UNCW was picked second by the @caasports coaches and RJ Sales and Taber Mongero were honored as preseason All-CAA honorees ... Story: https://t.co/hJNTxYu8mk pic.twitter.com/hpwt5C3ZvY

— UNCW Baseball (@UNCWBaseball) February 8, 2023

Defending CAA champion Hofstra was third with 72 points, while Northeastern, which also got a first-place vote, was close behind in fourth with 71 points. 

Placing fifth was William & Mary, followed by Stony Brook, Elon, Delaware, Monmouth, Towson and North Carolina A&T.

Charleston junior pitcher William Privette was honored as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year. 

The Cougars’ junior closer went 3-1 with a league-high 12 saves and a nation’s-best 0.91 ERA in 2022. 

He was a consensus All-American, received CAA Pitcher of the Year accolades and was one of three finalists for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award, which is presented to the top relief pitcher in the nation.

Charleston went 19-5 in CAA play last spring to claim its first regular-season title since 2015. 

The Cougars’ lineup features five players who earned all-conference honors last season. That list includes catcher JT Marr (.298), infielders Cam Dean (.298) and Joseph Mershon (.286), and outfielders Trotter Harlan (.305) and Tyler Sorrentino (.284). 

Pitchers Ty Good (10-5, 3.61 ERA), Trey Pooser (5-2, 3.92 ERA) and Daniel Brooks (2-2, 4.87 ERA) provide a strong starting staff in front of Privette.

UNCW reached the 30-win plateau for the 14th consecutive season in 2022 with a 31-24 mark. 

Four starting position players are back for the Seahawks, led by All-CAA shortstop Taber Mongero (.301), infielder Jac Croom (.264) and outfielder Dillon Lifreri (.274). 

Starting pitching should be a strength, with All-CAA standout RJ Sales (6-1, 3.52) and Zane Taylor (4-1, 4.03 ERA).

Hofstra is riding the momentum from its first CAA championship and inaugural trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2022. 

Defending #CAAChamps @HofstraBaseball was third in the preseason rankings with 72 points ⚾️

➡️ https://t.co/CuIVxZpY7h pic.twitter.com/RNZiFHmEid

— Colonial Athletic Association (@CAASports) February 8, 2023

All nine starters return from the Pride’s 30-23 squad, including outfielders Brian Morrell (.346), Will Kennedy (.331), catcher Kevin Bruggeman (.293) and infielder Ryan Morash (.289). 

Anchoring Hofstra’s pitching staff are CAA Tournament MOP Brad Camarda (8-2, 3.87 ERA), starter Mark Faello (7-4) and closer Michael O’Hanlon (3-2, 6 saves).

Northeastern is coming off a 31-29-1 campaign that was capped by reaching the CAA championship game for the third time in four years. 

Back for the Huskies are outfielder Mike Sirota (.326) and infielders Luke Beckstein and Danny Crossen. 

NU’s pitching staff is led by starters Wyatt Scotti (8-3, 2.88 ERA) and Eric Yost (4-3, 2.48 ERA) and reliever Jordy Allard (4-3, 2.16 ERA).

William & Mary looks to build on last year’s 26-23 mark. 

Seniors Joe Delossantos (.313), Ben Williamson (.296) and Cole Ragone (.287) bring experience to the Tribe lineup. 

The pitching staff includes top starter Zach Tsakounis (5-3, 4.82 ERA) and CAA All-Rookie reliever Carter Lovasz (2-1, 5 saves, 2.94 ERA).

Stony Brook begins its first season of CAA play after going 27-25 overall and winning the America East regular-season title in 2022. 

The Seawolves return America East Player of the Year Evan Giordano (.319) and all-conference outfielder Matt Brown-Eiring (.297). 

Top starting pitcher Nick DeGennaro returns from an injury to team with Ben Fero (4-4, 4.54 ERA).

Elon was 27-28 overall last season and qualified for its conference tournament for the 22nd straight year. 

The Phoenix welcome back Luke Stephenson (.251, 15 HR) and Charlie Granatell (.286) to the starting lineup, while the pitching staff includes All-CAA standout Shea Sprague (6-3, 1.89 ERA), Joe Savino (2-5) and reliever Ben Simon (3-1, 3.48 ERA).

Delaware, which was 25-26 a year ago, begins its first season under coach Greg Mamula. 

The Blue Hens return Bryce Greenly (.316), Jake Dunion (.313) and Joey Loynd (.298) offensively. 

Starter Joey Silan (3-5, 4.63) and reliever Dom Velazquez (4-2, 4.76) are back on the mound.

Monmouth (24-27) enters the CAA after making the MAAC tournament field in seven of its eight years as a league member. 

The Hawks are led offensively by first baseman James Harmstead, who batted .271 with a program-record 18 homers a year ago. 

Relief pitcher Steven Aldrich was 2-3 with a team-best four saves in 2022.

Towson (14-39), which won four of its final seven games last season, welcomes back outfielder Elijah Dickerson, who batted .262 with team-highs of 10 homers and 42 RBIs. 

Returning on the mound is Brett Seils, who went 2-1 with a save last year.

North Carolina A&T (15-38), which makes its CAA debut, returns its top 4 hitters from last season. Infielder Anthony Hennings (.335) and catcher Canyon Brown (.276) lead that group.

𝐈𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐈 𝐘𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘: 2023 CAA Season Preview

The Colonial Athletic Association race promises to be exciting, as College of Charleston leads the way. We take an in-depth look at the league this spring.

Presented by @NettingPros https://t.co/2QtzIvHjgK

— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) February 6, 2023

2023 CAA BASEBALL PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Charleston (nine first-place votes), 99
2. UNCW (one first-place vote), 84
3. Hofstra, 72
4. Northeastern (one first-place vote), 71
5. William & Mary, 62
6. Stony Brook, 57
7. Elon, 54
8. Delaware, 48
9. Monmouth, 27
10. Towson, 19
11. North Carolina A&T, 12

2023 PRESEASON ALL-CAA BASEBALL TEAM

CAA Preseason Player of the Year:  William Privette, Charleston

Honorable Mention:  Dan Covino, IF, Delaware; Cam Dean, IF, Charleston; J.J. Freeman, IF, Delaware; Anthony Hennings, IF, North Carolina A&T; Joseph Mershon, IF, Charleston; Elijah Dickerson, OF, Towson; Will Kennedy, OF, Hofstra; Bryce Greenly, DH, Delaware; Nick DeGennaro, SP, Stony Brook; Jordy Allard, RP, Northeastern.