Posted: Jan 31, 2014
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.– Georgia Southwestern softball team will open the 2014 campaign in the Bobcat Blast this weekend. The Lady 'Canes open the season with a doubleheader against the Queens University of Charolette on Saturday, Feb. 1 starting at 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 2, GSW will play a doubleheader against West Alabama starting at 10 a.m.
The Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes have been ranked No. 9 in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Coaches' Preseason Poll for this season. The Lady 'Canes made their second PBC Tournament appearance last season that ended early with a loss against Armstrong 6-4. GSW finished the season with a 29-26 overall record and a 9-13 PBC record. The Hurricanes will have one of the more experienced teams in 2014 with seven returning seniors and All-PBC Second Team member, Hayley Knight, and Honorable Mention Rachel McElroy.
The Georgia College softball team has been ranked No. 4 in the PBC Coaches' Preseason Poll for this season. The Bobcats finished runner-up in the PBC Tournament Championship as the No. 2 seed last season and finished tied for second with the University of North Georgia with a 16-6 conference record, while posting a 37-17 overall record. Georgia College defeated Francis Marion University and USC Aiken to advance to the 2013 PBC Tournament Championship game. Georgia College compiled a 1-2 record in the NCAA Southeast Regional Tournament. The Bobcats were ranked nationally as high as No. 16, making the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top-25 Poll four times last season. The Bobcats also ranked No. 7 in the final NCAA Southeast Region Poll.
The University of West Alabama team has been ranked No. 4 in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) Coaches' Preseason Poll for this season. The Tigers finished last season with a 16-15 GSC record and a 30-20 overall record. The team is led by first baseman Anna Shartzer and outfielder Whitney Brown, who were both selected to the preseason All-GSC team.
Queens University of Charlotte (N.C.) team has been ranked No. 9 in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Coaches' Preseason Poll for this season. The Royals reached the semifinal round of last year's NCAA Division II Softball Championship Southeast Super Region final. The team is led by SAC Second-Team designated player Whitney Britt.
The information in this article was provided by Georgia College Sports Information Department.