The Georgia Southern Eagles have been voted the preseason favorite to win the 2013 Southern Conference softball championships in voting conducted by the

league’s head coaches. Appalachian State senior Allie Cashion was named the preseason Player of the Year while Georgia Southern junior Sarah Purvis was named the preseason Pitcher of the Year.  Georgia Southern, last season’s regular season and tournament champion, tallied seven first place votes for a total of 63 points. Purvis, last season’s SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player, was named first-team preseason all-conference. Chattanooga was picked to finish second and received two first-place votes for a total of 58 points. The Lady Mocs placed six on the preseason all-conference teams, the most of any team in the conference. Last season’s tournament runner-up, College of Charleston, was picked to finish third after tallying 50 points. The Cougars had five all-conference selections.  Appalachian State was picked to finish fourth and earned three all-conference nods. Elon rounded out the top five with 32 points. The season begins Friday, February 8 with league teams participating in opening weekend tournaments.  The 2013 Southern Conference Softball Championship is scheduled for May 8-11 in Greensboro, N.C. 

Preseason Poll Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. Georgia Southern       (7)            63
2. Chattanooga            (2)            58
3. College of Charleston                 50
4. Appalachian State                     38
5. Elon                                  32
6. UNCG                                  31
7. Western Carolina                      22
8. Samford                               20
9. Furman                                10

Preseason Player of the Year: Allie Cashion, Outfield, Appalachian State

Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern

Preseason First-Team All-Conference

P Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
P Stephanie Saylors, College of Charleston
C Madison Dickey, Samford
1B Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga
2B Sara Poteat, Chattanooga
SS Lizzy Vaughn, College of Charleston
3B Kelsey Hodgson, College of Charleston
OF Allie Cashion, Appalachian State
OF Cheyenne Willis, Chattanooga
OF Tomeka Watson, Elon
DP Shemekia Scotton, Western Carolina
UT Aisha Figueroa, UNCG

Preseason Second-Team All-Conference

P Taylor Deason, Chattanooga
P Hope Klicker, College of Charleston
C Sarah Warnock, Appalachian State
1 BEileen Horsmon, UNCG
2B Meghan Smith, Appalachian State
SS Abby Adams, Samford
3B Sarah Beth Roberts, Chattanooga
OF Stephanie Rieck, Chattanooga
OF Carleigh Nester, Elon
OF Nikki Legg, Furman
DP Lauren Collier, Furman
UT Hope Klicker, College of Charleston

Photo Courtesy: Allie Cashion, ASU Athletics