ANNVILLE, PA (Jan. 20, 2025) -- The DeSales University softball team has been picked fourth in the MAC Freedom preseason poll as announced by the conference office on Tuesday morning and voted on by the eight MAC Freedom coaches.  

The Bulldogs finished with 27 points. Lebanon Valley is slated first with 48 points, six of which being first place votes. Right behind them is Misericordia at 40 points, and two first place votes. Directly ahead of DeSales is Stevens with 35 points, and rounding out the top five, below DeSales is Delaware Valley at 24 points.  

DeSales finished the 2025 season 17-20 overall and 7-7 in MAC Freedom play.  

Top returners for the bulldogs include juniors Abigayle Freideman and Paige Hromin. 

Freideman was named to the Region IV All-Region Third-Team, and the All-MAC Freedom First Team. She finished her sophomore season second on the team with a .338 batting average, three home runs and 17 RBIs.  

Hromin finished the season as an All-MAC Freedom Honorable Mention. She was sixth on the team with a .321 batting average, and lead the team with runs scored at 26. Hromin was second on the team in RBIs at 18, and she ranked fourth in the conference with RBIs at 14 during MAC Freedom play.  

Rachel Turoscy returns for her 24th season leading the Bulldogs. Turocsy is the all time win leader at DeSales and enters the season with the fourth-highest win percentage amongst coaches.  

The Bulldogs open the 2026 season with a double-header against Kean University on March first at McGettigan Park at 12:00pm. DSU will be heading to Winter Haven, Florida for a six-game spring trip and begin their MAC Freedom campaign versus Stevens once they return.