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SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Appalachian State University softball was tabbed to finish fourth overall in the annual Southern Conference preseason coaches' poll, the conference announced Tuesday.
The reining 2012 SoCon regular season and tournament champions, Georgia Southern, received seven first place votes and 63 points to finish at the top of the poll. The Eagles return pitcher Sarah Purvis who was named last season's SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player and earned first-team preseason all-conference.
Chattanooga was picked to finish second with two first-place votes and 58 points, while last year's tournament runner-up, College of Charleston, earned 50 points for a third-place finish.
The Mountaineers were picked to finish fourth with 38 points as senior Allie Cashion was picked as preseason player of the year and preseason first team all-conference.
Senior Meghan Smith also was named preseason second team all-conference as a second baseman, while sophomore Sarah Warnock was named second team all-conference after garnering freshman of the year honors in 2012.
Elon was picked to finish fifth with 32 points, while UNCG (31), Western Carolina (22), Samford (20) and Furman (10) rounded out the remaining four spots in the annual poll.
Appalachian opens their 2013 season when the Mountaineers travel to Ft. Myers, Fla. on Feb. 15 for the LaQuinta Inn & Suites/FGCU Invitational. The Apps will take on Southern Illinois at 9 a.m.
Preseason Poll
|
Team (First Place Votes) |
Points |
|
1. Georgia Southern (7) |
63 |
|
2. Chattanooga (2) |
58 |
|
3. College of Charleston |
50 |
|
4. Appalachian State |
38 |
|
5. Elon |
32 |
|
6. UNCG |
31 |
|
7. Western Carolina |
22 |
|
8. Samford |
20 |
|
9. Furman |
10 |
Preseason Player of the Year
Allie Cashion, Outfield, Appalachian State
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
Preseason First-Team All-Conference
|
P |
Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern |
|
P |
Stephanie Saylors, College of Charleston |
|
C |
Madison Dickey, Samford |
|
1B |
Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga |
|
2B |
Sara Poteat, Chattanooga |
|
SS |
Lizzy Vaughn, College of Charleston |
|
3B |
Kelsey Hodgson, College of Charleston |
|
OF |
Allie Cashion, Appalachian State |
|
OF |
Cheyenne Willis, Chattanooga |
|
OF |
Tomeka Watson, Elon |
|
DP |
Shemekia Scotton, Western Carolina |
|
UT |
Aisha Figueroa, UNCG |
Preseason Second-Team All-Conference
|
P |
Taylor Deason, Chattanooga |
|
P |
Hope Klicker, College of Charleston |
|
C |
Sarah Warnock, Appalachian State |
|
1B |
Eileen Horsmon, UNCG |
|
2B |
Meghan Smith, Appalachian State |
|
SS |
Abby Adams, Samford |
|
3B |
Sarah Beth Roberts, Chattanooga |
|
OF |
Stephanie Rieck, Chattanooga |
|
OF |
Carleigh Nester, Elon |
|
OF |
Nikki Legg, Furman |
|
DP |
Lauren Collier, Furman |
|
UT |
Hope Klicker, College of Charleston |
