Wednesday, February 09, 2005

(Feb. 4, 2005) — The Southern Conference announced today its 2005 softball preseason all-conference teams as voted on by the league's head coaches.

All of the eight softball-playing schools were represented by at least one player, with 2004 tournament runner-up College of Charleston leading the way with three players on the first team. Pitcher Rachel Stern, a second team All-SoCon selection last season, was joined by outfielder Leshe Russell and Bridget Loudermilk, who takes over at second base after earning all-league honors as a utility player during the 2004 season.

Chattanooga and East Tennessee State each had two players on the first team. Last season's SoCon Pitcher of the Year Lacey Swarthout and 2004 Player of Year at Melissa Rameriz (third base) represented the Mocs on the first team. Mary Beth Hazelwood (Knoxville, Tenn.), a first team selection during to 2004 campaign, picked up first team honors at shortstop, while teammate Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.) earned first team honors in the outfield for the Bucs.

UNC Greensboro placed first baseman Jennifer Bonilla, a 2004 first team all-league pick, on the first team. Elon's Megan Borgaard repesented the Pheonix on the first team as a utility player, and Kristyn Hurt reprented Appalachian State on the first team as a designated player. Both Borgaard and Hurt earned second team All-SoCon honors last season. Georgia Southern's Shanita Black, a 2004 second team all-league outfielder, earned preseason first team honors for the Eagles, while Paladin catcher Jessica Matthews, a first team All-SoCon pick last season, was named to the preseason first team for Furman.

Play starts on Friday, February 4 with Appalachian State heading to the University of Florida Tournament in Gainesville, FL. Georgia Southern will travel to Birmingham, AL, to play in the University of Alabama Tournament, while UNC Greensboro makes the trip to Columbia, SC, to play in the University of South Carolina Tournament. Chattanooga will play on Saturday, February 5, when it travels to Atlanta, GA, to play in a double-header against Georgia Tech.

2005 SoCon Preseason All-Conference Softball Teams
First Team
P Rachel Stern, College of Charleston
P Lacey Swarthout, Chattanooga
C Jessica Matthews, Furman
1B Jennifer Bonilla, UNC Greensboro
2B Bridgette Loudermilk, College of Charleston
SS Mary Beth Hazelwood, East Tennessee State
3B Melissa Ramirez, Chattanooga
OF Leshe Russell, College of Charleston
OF Shanita Black, Georgia Southern
OF Janine Sprague, East Tennessee State
DP Kristyn Hurt, Appalachian State
U Megan Borgaard, Elon

Second Team
P Tiffany Urena, Georgia Southern
P Rachel Henley, Furman
C Robyn Johnson, Chattanooga
1B Leslie Barron, Chattanooga
2B Paige Goss, Elon
SS Maria Laurato, Georgia Southern
3B Lindsay Lane, East Tennessee State
OF Jessica Swearegin, Elon
OF Aurora Johnson, Georgia Southern
OF Danielle Spetar, East Tennessee State
U Brittany Whitter, Chattanooga

The Southern Conference softball coaches picked Chattanooga to win the 2005 Southern Conference softball title.

Chattanooga, the 2004 Southern Conference champions, picked up a total of six first place votes, followed by the 2004 runner-up College of Charleston with two. Georgia Southern was selected third with Elon and UNC Greensboro rounding out the top five.

East Tennessee State came in at the sixth spot, with Appalachian State and Furman rounding out the poll.

Play starts on Friday, February 4 with Appalachian State heading to the University of Florida Tournament in Gainesville, FL. Georgia Southern will travel to Birmingham, AL, to play in the University of Alabama Tournament, while UNC Greensboro makes the trip to Columbia, SC, to play in the University of South Carolina Tournament. Chattanooga will play on Saturday, February 5, when it travels to Atlanta, GA, to play in a double-header against Georgia Tech.

2005 SoCon Preseason Softball Poll

1. Chattanooga
2. College of Charleston
3. Georgia Southern
4. Elon
5. UNC Greensboro
6. East Tennessee State
7. Appalachian State
8. Furman