Islanders Softball Tabbed Fourth in Southland Conference Preseason Polls
FRISCO, Texas – The Texas A&M - Corpus Christi softball team was selected to finish fourth in the 2013 Southland Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll in a vote by both the conference's head coaches and sports information directors, the league announced Wednesday. Sophomore Mickayla Cochran (OF) was tabbed All-Southland Conference Preseason Second Team.
The Islanders return three starters and 11 letterwinners from a team that finished with an 18-23 overall record (11-9 SLC) a year ago under Head Coach Stephanie Hughes. The Islanders advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament for the third straight year and finished fourth. The 2013 team will welcome four newcomers along with Cochran who started 37-of-39 of the Islanders' games last season.
Cochran finished second on the team with a batting average of .293 and tallied the most hits with 99. The Peoria, Ariz. native was tied for third in runs scored while posting a .974 fielding percentage with the majority of her fielding coming from behind home plate.
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi was selected to finish fourth in the Preseason Coaches' poll behind Sam Houston State (78), who finished second during the regular season last year and at the 2012 conference tournament, McNeese State (72) and Central Arkansas (65). The Islanders received 56 points. In the Preseason Sports Information Director's poll, the Islanders were tabbed fourth with a total of 53 points behind Sam Houston State (74), Central Arkansas (73) and McNeese State (69).
The Islanders will open the season in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Feb. 7, against Texas on the Longhorn Network. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.
For the latest information, follow Islanders Softball on Twitter (@IslandersSball) and Facebook (Islanders Softball).
2013 All-Southland Conference Preseason Softball Teams
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First Team |
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Pos. |
Name |
University |
Class |
Hometown |
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1B |
Kim Damian* |
Sam Houston State |
Sr. |
Angleton, Texas |
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|
2B |
Ashley Bertot* |
Nicholls State |
Sr. |
League City, Texas |
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3B |
Shelbi Tucker* |
Sam Houston State |
Sr. |
Montgomery, Texas |
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SS |
Tara McKenney* |
Northwestern State |
Jr. |
Red Oak, Texas |
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|
C |
Hillary Adams* |
Sam Houston State |
So. |
Elgin, Texas |
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|
UT |
Melissa Bryant* |
Central Arkansas |
Sr. |
Hernando, Miss. |
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|
DP |
Ashley Modzelewski* |
McNeese State |
So. |
Sour Lake, Texas |
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|
OF |
Tori Benavidez* |
Sam Houston State |
Sr. |
Midlothian, Texas |
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|
OF |
Alanna DiVittorio* |
McNeese State |
Jr. |
Harahan, La. |
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|
OF |
Stephanie Lasley* |
Central Arkansas |
Sr. |
Enola, Ark. |
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|
P |
Kelsie Armstrong* |
Central Arkansas |
Sr. |
Hot Springs, Ark. |
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|
P |
Meagan Bond |
McNeese State |
Sr. |
Lumberton, Miss. |
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|
Second Team |
|
|
|
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1B |
Ashley Boswell* |
Central Arkansas |
So. |
Tahlequah, Okla. |
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2B |
Megan McCollum |
Southeastern La. |
Jr. |
Lafayette, La. |
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|
3B |
Tiffany Roby* |
Central Arkansas |
So. |
North Little Rock, Ark. |
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SS |
Sarah Allison* |
Sam Houston State |
Jr. |
College Station, Texas |
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|
C |
Melanie Bryant* |
Central Arkansas |
Sr. |
Hernando, Miss. |
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|
UT |
Elizabeth Arana* |
Stephen F. Austin |
Jr. |
The Woodlands, Texas |
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|
DP |
Ashley Isbell* |
Sam Houston State |
Sr. |
Katy, Texas |
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|
OF |
Michelle Duhe |
Southeastern La. |
Sr. |
Lutcher, La. |
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|
OF |
Mickayla Cochran |
A&M-Corpus Christi |
So. |
Peoria, Ariz. |
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|
OF |
Lauren Langner |
McNeese State |
So. |
Pearland, Texas |
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|
P |
Shelby Lancaster |
Sam Houston State |
Jr. |
Tomball, Texas |
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|
P |
Carlie Thomas |
Stephen F. Austin |
Jr. |
Huntington, Texas |
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*Returning all-conference selection
2013 Preseason Southland Softball Polls
|
Coaches' Poll |
|
|
1. Sam Houston State (7) |
78 |
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2. McNeese State (2) |
72 |
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3. Central Arkansas (1) |
65 |
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4. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
56 |
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5. Stephen F. Austin |
44 |
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6. Northwestern State |
42 |
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7. Nicholls State |
39 |
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8. Houston Baptist |
21 |
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8. Southeastern Louisiana |
21 |
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10. Lamar |
12 |
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|
|
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Sports Information Director's |
|
|
1. Sam Houston State (5) |
74 |
|
2. Central Arkansas (3) |
73 |
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3. McNeese State (2) |
69 |
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4. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi |
53 |
|
5. Nicholls State |
47 |
|
6. Northwestern State |
41 |
|
7. Stephen F. Austin |
36 |
|
8. Southeastern Louisiana |
24 |
|
9. Houston Baptist |
22 |
|
10. Lamar |
11 |
