NEW ORLEANS – The University of South Alabama softball team was picked to finish third in the preseason Sun Belt Conference poll after receiving 80 points on Monday as voted on by the 10 league coaches and announced by the league office.

The Jaguars posted a 33-18 overall record a year ago and finished second during the regular season with a 17-6 mark in Sun Belt play.  USA returns six offensive starters and 12 letterwinners, including its top two pitchers in the circle.  Highlighting the list of returners are all-conference players Devin Brown (First Team), Kaleigh Todd (First Team), Haleigh Lowe (Second Team), Haleigh Lane (Second Team).  Both Brown and Todd also earned preseason all-league honors last week.

Defending regular-season and Sun Belt tournament champion Louisiana-Lafayette received all 10 first-place votes for a total of 100 points.  Texas State edged out the Jaguars for second with 87 points.

South Alabama will officially open the season on Thu., Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. when the Jags welcome Central Arkansas to Jaguar Field.  

2017 Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
1 – Louisiana-Lafayette – 100 (10)
2 – Texas State – 87
3 – SOUTH ALABAMA – 80
4 – Georgia State – 68
5 – Georgia Southern – 55
6 – Troy – 44
7 – Texas-Arlington – 41
8 – Coastal Carolina – 32
9 – Louisiana-Monroe – 30
10 – Appalachian State – 13

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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