Photo by: Southland Conference
Softball picked 2nd in SLC preseason poll
1/30/2020 11:00:00 AM | Softball
FRISCO — The Sam Houston State softball team has been picked to finish second in the Southland Conference preseason poll, the league announced Thursday.
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The Bearkats, who are the defending SLC regular-season and tournament champions, received 10 first-place votes for a total of 210 points to come in behind Stephen F. Austin (217), which garnered 11 first-place votes. McNeese is picked third (202, one first-place vote), followed by Nicholls (186, two first-place votes), Southeastern Louisiana (177), Northwestern State (152), Central Arkansas (122), Lamar (110), Abilene Christian (61), Houston Baptist (56), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (52) and Incarnate Word (39).
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"We are excited to be a part of the league's competitiveness and look forward to conference play when that part of our season arrives," head coach Garrett Valis said. "It looks to be another tight year with a lot of solid programs and excellent coaches."
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Sam Houston State returns the majority of its starting lineup from last season and several players who saw regular playing time on the squad which advanced to the Austin Regional of the NCAA Tournament. The Bearkats upset ninth-ranked Texas 2-1 in the opening round.
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Seniors Megan McDonald and Tiffany Thompson were named to the preseason All-SLC first team Wednesday, and junior Brooke Malia was named to the second team.
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"We just look forward to the opportunity to prepare and to compete for a great university with excellent leadership," Valis said. "Our experience and work ethic should be a tremendous boost for us this spring. I feel blessed to have the wonderful people in our program and I am excited for them to continue to achieve at a high level."
Coaches and SIDs Poll (first place votes)
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The Bearkats, who are the defending SLC regular-season and tournament champions, received 10 first-place votes for a total of 210 points to come in behind Stephen F. Austin (217), which garnered 11 first-place votes. McNeese is picked third (202, one first-place vote), followed by Nicholls (186, two first-place votes), Southeastern Louisiana (177), Northwestern State (152), Central Arkansas (122), Lamar (110), Abilene Christian (61), Houston Baptist (56), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (52) and Incarnate Word (39).
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"We are excited to be a part of the league's competitiveness and look forward to conference play when that part of our season arrives," head coach Garrett Valis said. "It looks to be another tight year with a lot of solid programs and excellent coaches."
Â
Sam Houston State returns the majority of its starting lineup from last season and several players who saw regular playing time on the squad which advanced to the Austin Regional of the NCAA Tournament. The Bearkats upset ninth-ranked Texas 2-1 in the opening round.
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Seniors Megan McDonald and Tiffany Thompson were named to the preseason All-SLC first team Wednesday, and junior Brooke Malia was named to the second team.
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"We just look forward to the opportunity to prepare and to compete for a great university with excellent leadership," Valis said. "Our experience and work ethic should be a tremendous boost for us this spring. I feel blessed to have the wonderful people in our program and I am excited for them to continue to achieve at a high level."
Coaches and SIDs Poll (first place votes)
| 1. | Stephen F. Austin (11) | 217 |
| 2. | Sam Houston State (10) | 210 |
| 3. | McNeese (1) | 202 |
| 4. | Nicholls (2) | 186 |
| 5. | Southeastern Louisiana | 177 |
| 6. | Northwestern State | 152 |
| 7. | Central Arkansas | 122 |
| 8. | Lamar | 110 |
| 9. | Abilene Christian | 61 |
| 10. | Houston Baptist | 56 |
| 11. | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 52 |
| 12. | UIW | 39 |
Players Mentioned
Monday, February 02
Monday, April 07
Sunday, February 23
Wednesday, April 28
