SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Chattanooga Lady Mocs have been named the 2012 preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference softball championship in voting conducted by the league’s head coaches. Georgia Southern senior Marie Fogle was named preseason Player of the Year while sophomore teammate Allie Miles was named the preseason Pitcher of the Year. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or student-athletes in the balloting.
Chattanooga, which is seeking its sixth consecutive regular season title, earned eight first-place votes for a total of 64 points. The Lady Mocs return the 2011 SoCon Player of the Year Michelle Fuzzard, along with Vivian Morimoto, shortstop Jessica Traxler and second baseman Sara Poteat, from the team that advanced to the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Final last season.
Chattanooga placed four student-athletes on the preseason all-conference teams, with Morimoto and Poteat earning first-team honors.
Last season’s tournament runner-up, the College of Charleston was picked to finish second in 2012, earning 50 points. The Cougars had four all-conference selections.
Georgia Southern was picked to finish third and earned three all-conference nods while Appalachian State and UNCG round out the top five.
The season begins Friday, February 10 with league teams participating in opening weekend tournaments.
The 2012 Southern Conference Softball Championship is scheduled for May 9-12 in Boone, N.C.
Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. Chattanooga (8) 64
2. College of Charleston 50
3. Georgia Southern (1) 48
4. Appalachian State 44
5. UNCG 39
6. Elon 32
7. Furman 22
8. Samford 17
9. Western Carolina 8
Preseason Player of the Year
Marie Fogle, Outfield, Georgia Southern
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Allie Miles, Georgia Southern
Preseason First-Team All-Conference
P Stephanie Saylors, College of Charleston
P Allie Miles, Georgia Southern
C Katelyn Bedwell, UNCG
1B Alex Emeterio, UNCG
2B Sara Poteat, Chattanooga
SS Aisha Figueroa, UNCG
3B Jessie Homesley, Furman
OF Allie Cashion, Appalachian State
OF Marie Fogle, Georgia Southern
OF Tomeka Watson, Elon
DP Vivian Morimoto, Chattanooga
UT Meghan Smith, Appalachian State
Preseason Second-Team All-Conference
P Erin O’Shea, Elon
P Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga
C Kaitlyn Piazolla, Elon
1B Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga
2B Hanna Ennis, Georgia Southern
SS Lizzy Vaughn, College of Charleston
3B Kelsey Hodgson, College of Charleston
OF Carly Corthell, College of Charleston
OF Carleigh Nester, Elon
OF Stephanie Field, Furman
DP Lauren Collier, Furman
UT Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga