WATCH: CAC Softball Preseason Webcast 

Two-time defending champion Christopher Newport was selected as the favorite to claim conference hardware once again this spring, as the Captains received five first-place votes and totaled 47 points to sit atop the 2016 CAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Salisbury earned the remaining three first-place votes and finished narrowly behind CNU in second place with 45 points.

Frostburg State, which has collected a third-place regular season finish each of the past two seasons, was once again picked to finish third with 37 points. Mary Washington totaled 29 points to claim fourth in the poll, while York rounded out the top five with 26 points. Wesley was sixth with 18 points, followed by Penn State Harrisburg (15 points) and Southern Virginia (7 points).

That CNU and Salisbury headline the preseason poll is no surprise, as the two squads have met in the CAC Championship and NCAA Super Regional each of the last two seasons. Last spring, CNU defeated the Sea Gulls in the CAC Championship for its second conference crown in a row, before Salisbury got revenge in the NCAA Super Regional round to advance to the NCAA National Championship round for the third straight season. The Sea Gulls made it to the final four teams before being eliminated by eventual national runner-up Texas-Tyler.

Both the Sea Gulls and Captains enter the year near the top of the national rankings, as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) preseason national rankings have Salisbury ranked No. 2 and CNU at No. 12. 

Two CAC squads began their 2016 campaigns last weekend, with most teams set to begin the year in the next week or two. 

The regular season will culminate with the top five teams advancing to the home field of the regular season champion April 21-23 for the CAC Championship Tournament.

Here is a brief look at each team heading into the 2016 season:

The 2016 season promises to be another exciting one for CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT. Keith Parr is beginning his 13th season guiding the Captains, and has led CNU to an amazing run of success that includes nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances and two CAC titles in a row. The Captains, ranked No. 12 by the NFCA in the preseason, return a strong nucleus of experienced players. A strong senior class is back, featuring rightfielder Scoop Simon and centerfielder Meagan Jones, second baseman Tori Clarke, catcher Hannah Cook, and lefthanded starting pitcher Hanah Marshall. Returning junior leftfielder Rachael Shiflett and sophomores Brittney Walters (third base) and Rachael Payne (shortstop) have seen plenty of action and will look to continue their successful careers in 2016.

FROSTBURG STATE, led by 11th-year head coach Wes Landrum, returns its entire roster from the 2015 season, including CAC Rookie of the Year Allison Short and First-Team NFCA All-Region selection, Hannah Tavik. The Bobcats posted eight shutouts last spring and finished third in the CAC in homeruns (26), RBI's (200) and runs (224). Tavik and Short will lead the way for FSU in pitching while senior Renay Aubel will return as the leader in homeruns (7) and second-best batting average (.415).

MARY WASHINGTON enters the 2016 with high hopes, led by the return of many of their top performers from a season ago. All-CAC catcher Olivia Tatara(.407 last year) heads a strong group, including Emily Briggs (.370), Hannah Hautz (.308), and Zoie Patrick (.306). Among the pitchers, returnees Ashton Ferneyhough (2.89 ERA), Courtney Merson (1.30 ERA), and Erin Stinson return for coach Dee Conway.

PENN STATE HARRISBURG is looking to build off a successful 2015 campaign that saw the Lions secure a bid in the ECAC South Championship. Key returners include senior catcher Rieley Loch, senior utility player Jackie Furch, and senior outfielder Jasmine Yanich. The Lions will aim for a spot in the conference playoffs this spring after a sixth-place CAC finish last year. 

SALISBURY looks to make its fourth-straight and 10th overall trip to the NCAA championship weekend on the leaderhip of six returning seniors. SeniorKim Dorsey, a two-time All-American at shortstop, will anchor the infield, which has led the Sea Gulls to the top defense in the nation in the past two years. Dorsey is joined around the infield by classmates Katie Sebbane at third base and Molly Simpson at second. Senior Annah Brittingham is Salisbury's top returning pitcher, while Paige Knussman moves behind the plate to complete the senior battery. The outfield will be led by seniorRachel Spadin in center field. The six seniors have combined for 11 All-CAC selections in the past three years and five All-Region honors.

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA is looking to improve from a winless season last year and earn their first conference victory. Second-year head coach Kortny Halllooks to grow the program with a young team. Senior Annie Clark returns with Katierose Helems and Bailey Brennan from last year's roster, and catcher Sarah Edwards returns to the team after serving a church mission.

WESLEY enters the 2016 campaign with hopes to build on last year's season. The squad finished with a program-record 23 wins and won their most conference games since the 2009 season. Fifth-year head coach Juli Greep has high hopes that this season will include a CAC Tournament appearance for the Wolverines. Wesley returns four of their top six hitters and their two best arms from last season and have the drive and tenacity to turn heads in the conference.

YORK opens the 2016 campaign with great optimism as head coach Jen Petteys enters her fourth year at the helm of the program. The Spartans are coming off a 23-19 campaign and have a number of key returners as York looks to make a run up the CAC standings. Two-time All-CAC shortstop Katie Maloney returns to anchor the Spartan infield while first baseman Carleigh Ruleman also returns for York. York's two top returning pitchers are All-CAC selection Courtney Martin and sophomore Melissa Jurkiewicz. The duo gives York quality depth while newcomer Jenny Coyle should also play a role for York. Petteys welcomes in a large freshman class as many of those newcomers will fill key roles for the Spartans in 2016.

2016 CAC Softball Preseason Poll