PITMAN, NJ -- For the second year in a row, Rowan was selected the favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll as released on Friday.

The Profs, who will begin the season ranked fifth in the preseason NFCA Top 25, claimed nine of the 10 first-place votes. TCNJ picked up the remaining first-place vote as the Lions were selected second. Ramapo was chosen third, with Stockton in fourth and Kean in fifth. William Paterson, Montclair State, Rutgers-Camden, Rutgers-Newark, and New Jersey City respectfully rounded out the ten-team poll.

Rowan advanced to the Division III Championship Series for the fourth time in program history and first since the 2016 season in 2023, claiming regional titles at Marietta and a super regional crown at Randolph-Macon. The Profs rattled off a 42-10 record, which tied a school record for most wins in a season, and a 17-1 mark in conference play.

The 2024 Profs and reigning NJAC Coach of the Year Kim Wilson, welcome back 13 letterwinners along with 7 newcomers, led by All American pitcher Rylee Lutz along with all-region selections in Cat Thomas, McKenzie Melvin, and Liz McCaffery. Lutz, the NJAC Pitcher of the Year as well, was 24-7 in 39 appearances, posting  1.86 ERA with 186 strikeouts in 192 innings. She was ranked seventh in Division III in victories and shutouts (9).

The 2024 season gets underway here at home on February 24th with a doubleheader against SUNY-Oneonta. The NJAC Softball Tournament begins on Saturday, May 4th and conclude on May 11th. The NCAA Division III Championships return to Marshall, Texas with East Texas Baptist serving as the hosts that runs May 30th through June 5th.