The LaGrange softball team is picked ninth in the 2013 USA South Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll released Wednesday.
The Panthers are starting their first season in the USA South under head coach Jennifer Claybrook, who is starting her 11th season. The Panthers were 15-24 last season and return a solid nucleus for the 2013 season.
In addition to the Panthers, the 2013 season marks the first in the USA South for new conference members Maryville and Piedmont. All three schools are former members of the Great South Athletic Conference.
Christopher Newport was picked to win the 2013 USA South title in the poll. The Captains captured their fourth consecutive conference regular season championship last spring. CNU received 11 of 12 first-place votes (121 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.
The defending conference tournament champions, Ferrum, finished second in the balloting as the Panthers received 108 points and the final first-place vote. Methodist placed third in the poll with 93 points. Piedmont earned the fourth spot in the poll with 87 points while Meredith and Greensboro rounded out the top-half of the poll in fifth and sixth with 83 and 71 points, respectively.
The 2013 USA South Softball Tournament will be played April 12-14 at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex as a part of the USA South Spring Sports Festival in Rocky Mount, N.C.
The Panthers open their season Feb. 23 when they host Elmira in a doubleheader.
|
2013 USA South Softball Coaches Poll |
||
|
Rank |
Institution (1st Place Votes) |
Pts. |
|
1. |
Christopher Newport (11) |
121 |
|
2. |
Ferrum (1) |
108 |
|
3. |
Methodist |
93 |
|
4. |
Piedmont |
87 |
|
5. |
Meredith |
83 |
|
6. |
Greensboro |
71 |
|
7. |
Averett |
53 |
|
8. |
Maryville |
49 |
|
9. |
LaGrange |
44 |
|
10. |
William Peace |
38 |
|
11. |
N.C. Wesleyan |
34 |
|
12. |
Mary Baldwin |
11 |
