IRVING, Texas – Just three weeks out from opening day of the 2018 softball season, Conference USA has announced its Preseason All-Conference Team and Coaches Poll with WKU predicted to finish seventh this year. With head coach Amy Tudor at the helm of the Hilltopper program entering her fifth season on The Hill, the Red and White return 10 letterwinners from last year's 31-win squad.
Conference USA Tournament champion Louisiana Tech grabbed four first place votes and has been predicted to take home the 2018 regular-season title. FIU secured the remaining seven first place votes, finishing second in the preseason rankings. Florida Atlantic, 2018 C-USA Tournament host Charlotte, and Marshall were predicted to rounded out the top five, respectively. UAB finished sixth in the coaches poll with WKU right behind the Blazers in seventh and North Texas was predicted to round out this year's tournament field. Southern Miss finished ninth in the standings while UTSA rounded out the top 10. Middle Tennessee and UTEP rounded out the poll landing in 11th and 12th respectively.
FIU's Shannon Saile landed the league's Preseason Pitcher of the Year honor while Florida Atlantic's Emily Lochten earned C-USA's Preseason Player of the Year nod.
WKU Softball is coming off of a 31-31 2016 campaign that included a run through the single-elimination portion of the Conference USA Tournament, despite owning the lowest seed. Additionally, WKU added two more postseason wins in the inaugural NISC event for a 4-4 reading in postseason play.
2018 Conference USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitcher: Shannon Saile, FIU, So.
Pitcher: Haley Wiseman, Charlotte, Sr.
Pitcher: Krystal De La Cruz, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
Catcher: Taylor McCord, Marshall, Sr.
Catcher: Alex Miller, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Catcher: Marilyn Rizzato, Louisiana Tech, So.
Infielder: Haley Pace, Charlotte, Sr.
Infielder: Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
Infielder: Elicia D'Orazio, Marshall, Sr.
Infielder: Cortney Smith, UTEP, Jr.
Infielder: Grace Beatty, Charlotte, Sr.
Outfielder: Precious Birdsong, Middle Tennessee, Sr.
Outfielder: Jackie Schoff, FIU, Jr.
Outfielder: Madisyn Palmer, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Outfielder: Morgan Turkoly, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
DP/Utility: Lacy Gregory, North Texas, So.
2018 Preseason Player of the Year
Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic, Sr.
2018 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Shannon Saile, FIU, So.
2018 Preseason Poll
- Louisiana Tech (4)
- FIU (7)
- Florida Atlantic
- Charlotte
- Marshall
- UAB
- WKU
- North Texas
- Southern Miss
- UTSA
- Middle Tennessee
- UTEP
