Wednesday, January 22, 2003

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 22, 2003) - The Southern Conference 2003 preseason softball poll and all-league teams were released on Wednesday. East Tennessee State was tabbed to finish sixth in the conference, while Chattanooga was picked to defend its title for the fourth straight year. The Buccaneers also had three players selected to the preseason All-Southern Conference second team -- pitcher Tiffany McVay (Sale Creek, Tenn.), shortstop Mary Beth Hazelwood (Knoxville, Tenn.), and outfielder Danielle Spetar (Knoxville, Tenn.). "It has been a pleasure to work with this team and be a part of ETSU athletics," said first-year head coach Amy Fuller. "I believe if we stay healthy we should be able to compete with any team and be contenders in the Southern Conference. This team is young, competitive, and ready to swing the bats." In only their second season of competition, the Bucs set a school record for wins with a 25-32 overall mark in 2002. Fuller inherits 11 returnees from last year's squad that finished fifth place in the Southern Conference. 2003 SoCon Women's Preseason Softball Poll 1. Chattanooga (6) 62 2. Furman 50 3. Georgia Southern (1) 47 4. UNC Greensboro (1) 44 5. Coll. of Charleston 34 6. East Tenn. State 24 7. UNC Wilmington 15 8. Appalachian State 12 2003 SoCon Preseason SoCon All-League Team Second Team P Tiffany McVay, ETSU P Carla Shepherd, CofC C Jessica Matthews, Furman 1B Chrissy Freany, UNCW 2B Jennifer Aguilar, UNCG SS Mary Beth Hazelwood, ETSU 3B Melissa Ramirez, UTC OF Kim Benningfield, UNCG OF Amanda Cone, CofC OF Danielle Spetar, ETSU U Jennifer Hubbard, UNCG