SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Elon Phoenix have been named the 2011 preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference softball championship in balloting conducted by the league's head coaches.  Georgia Southern swept the preseason individual awards with senior utility player Megen Smith being named the preseason Player of the Year and senior pitcher Brianna Streetmon earning preseason Pitcher of the Year honors. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or student-athletes.

The Phoenix earned five of the possible nine first-place votes and received 61 points overall to claim the top spot. Elon returns nine starters and four pitchers from last season's team that finished 38-21 and swept through the conference tournament.

Elon had a total of six student-athletes on the all-conference teams, including four first-teamers.  Catcher Kaitlyn Piazzolla, second baseman Jackie Gonzalez and outfielders Emerald Graham and Tomeka Watson earned the first-team honors.  Representing the Phoenix on the second-team were shortstop Danielle Lafferty and pitcher and designated player Erin O'Shea.

Defending regular season champion Chattanooga was selected to finish second in 2011, earning the remaining four first-place votes and 59 points overall.  The Lady Mocs earned five all-conference selections.

Pitcher Kandice Irwin and outfielder Lyndsey Stiles were the two Lady Mocs named to the first-team, while first baseman Michelle Fuzzard, third baseman Tiffany Baker and utility player Kasey Tydingco earned second-team honors.

Georgia Southern, which was picked to finish third, had two preseason all-conference selections with Smith and Streetmon, the preseason player of the year and pitcher of the year, respectively.  Both players earned first-team accolades. 

Last season's tournament runners-up, UNCG placed fourth in the preseason poll.  The Spartans had three first-team all-conference players in first baseman Alex Emeterio, shortstop Kaitlin Merkt and designated player Eileen Horsmon.

Coming in at No. 5 was Appalachian State, which is under the direction of new head coach Shae Wesley.  The Mountaineers had one first-team all-conference selection with third baseman Katie Boyd.  Representing Appalachian State on the second-team were pitcher Caitlin Wainright, catcher Michelle Lighton, second baseman McKenzie Phillips and outfielder Sarah Rappe.

Furman placed two players on the second-team with outfielders Stephanie Field and Katie Michaels.  The Paladins were slotted seventh in the preseason poll.

Rounding out the poll was No. 8 Samford, with new head coach Stephanie VanBrakle, and No. 9 Western Carolina.

The season begins Thursday evening with Appalachian State taking on Oregon State at 6:30 p.m. in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.  

The 2011 Southern Conference Softball Championship is scheduled for May 11-14 in Statesboro, Ga.

Preseason Poll

 

Team (First Place Votes)	Points
1. Elon (5)	61
2. Chattanooga (4)	59
3. Georgia Southern	46
4. UNCG	39
5. Appalachian State	33
6. College of Charleston	32
7. Furman	24
8. Samford	21
9. Western Carolina	9

Preseason Player of the Year

Megen Smith, Utility, Georgia Southern

Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern

Preseason First-Team All-Conference

 

P	Kandice Irwin, Chattanooga
P	Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern
C	Kaitlyn Piazzolla, Elon
1B	Alex Emeterio, UNCG
2B	Jackie Gonzalez, Elon
SS	Kaitlin Merkt, UNCG
3B	Katie Boyd, Appalachian State
OF	Emerald Graham, Elon
OF	Lyndsey Stiles, Chattanooga
OF	Tomeka Watson, Elon
DP	Eileen Horsmon, UNCG
UT	Megen Smith, Georgia Southern

Preseason Second-Team All-Conference

 

P	Erin O'Shea, Elon
P	Caitlin Wainright, Appalachian State
C	Michelle Lighton, Appalachian State
1B	Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga
2B	McKenzie Phillips, Appalachian State
SS	Danielle Lafferty, Elon
3B	Tiffany Baker, Chattanooga
OF	Stephanie Field, Furman
OF	Katie Michaels, Furman
OF	Sarah Rappe, Appalachian State
DP	Erin O'Shea, Elon
UT	Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga