Wednesday, January 27, 2010

MACON, Ga. (Jan. 27, 2010) - For the third consecutive season Katy Jett (Talbott, Tenn.) received Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference honors, as the league office released its 2010 softball selections on Wednesday. Overall, the Lady Bucs were tabbed eighth in the Coaches' Poll.  

Jett, who has been ETSU's most consistent hitter over the last three years, posted a .337 batting average (59-175) in 2009. The Talbott, Tenn. native played in all 55 games for the Lady Bucs and led the team in hits (59), runs scored (34), total bases (71), slugging percentage (.406) and on-base percentage (.377). In addition, Jett also led the Lady Bucs with 17 multi-hit games, and has recorded the third (.347 in 2008) and fifth (.337 in 2009) highest single-season batting averages in Lady Buccaneer history.

"Katy has been the most consistent player I have ever coached," said head coach Andrea Mangrum, who is entering her fifth season at ETSU. "She is the type of player that you want up when the game is on the line, because you know she will leave it all on the field. I am proud of her accomplishments on and off the field, because I know she has worked hard to achieve them. She is a great role model for young athletes and she has proven that you can be successful by doing things the right way."

Lipscomb's senior infielder Kellie Sirus was named Preseason Player of the Year, while Campbell's Brittany Stanley was selected Pitcher of the Year.

ETSU, who raced out of the gates to notch its best start in program history a year ago, will look to use the eighth-place selection as motivation.

"We realize that earning respect in our league is a challenge due to the RPI ratings our sport receives every year," commented Mangrum. "However, we allow it to motivate us to be at the top of our league. Our senior class is determined to leave their mark and make history this season. We will continue to focus on the things we have control of which is our attitude and effort. We will keep working hard and believing in our goals for this season."

The Lady Bucs received 45 votes and were picked to finish above Stetson, Jacksonville and Belmont in 2010.

Overall, Lipscomb was picked above reigning regular season and tournament champion Campbell for first. The Lady Bisons received five of the 11 first-place votes and edged out the Lady Camels (six first-place selections) by five votes - 111 to 106. Mercer (91 votes), Florida Gulf Coast (85 votes) and USC Upstate (77 votes) rounded out the top-five.

The ETSU softball team kicks off its 2010 season on Saturday, Feb. 13 when the Lady Bucs face BIG EAST foe St. John's in the 49er Round Robin Classic.     

For more information on Lady Buccaneer softball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.