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The defending conference champions, the first women’s team in school history to win a GSC title, received 137 points and one first-place vote, sitting behind West Florida (162) and Valdosta State (140). The Argos gathered 10 of the 14 first-place votes, while the Blazers also nabbed one.
With the release of the preseason poll also came the announcement of the Preseason All-Conference Team, which was highlighted by three Lady Choctaws, tied for the most representatives from any school in the league.
Senior Katherine Lee (Monroe, La.), junior Penny Nichols (Orange City, Fla.) and Carly Crawford (Hattiesburg, Miss.) were named to the 15-person squad. Crawford and Lee earned First Team All-GSC and All-Region honors in 2017, while Nichols led the Lady Choctaws with 11 wins and a 2.38 ERA, despite having her season cut short due to injury.
Also announced in the preseason release were the Top Newcomers for each team, nominated by the coaching staffs from each school. Junior Cori Cooper (Magnolia, Texas), a transfer pitcher from Temple College, and freshman Jessica Aron (Mathiston, Miss.), a utility player from East Webster HS, were the honorees for MC.
Rounding the preseason poll behind the Lady Choctaws were UAH (136), North Alabama (126), Lee (123), Auburn Montgomery (87) and West Georgia (83). Lee and AUM also picked up first-place votes in the poll. The last six teams in the standings were Shorter (67), Delta State (64), West Alabama (57), Montevallo (43), Union (35) and Christian Brothers (14).
The top eight teams in the final standings qualify for the double-elimination tournament that is scheduled to be held May 3-6 at the site of the #1 seed.
The Lady Choctaws will open the 2018 season on February 3rd when they travel to Columbus, Ga. for the Southern Softball Showdown.
