Tuesday, January 20, 2004

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Jan. 20, 2004) - The Southern Conference released the softball preseason poll today, as selected by the conference's head coaches. East Tennessee State University, who finished last season with a 28-26 overall record and 10-10 record in the conference, was selected to finish fifth in the conference with 28 points only two points away from Georgia Southern, which was ranked fourth. College of Charleston was selected as the team to beat in the SoCon in 2004. The Cougars received all seven of the possible first place votes, as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. Four-time defending tournament champion Chattanooga earned one first place vote and was selected to finish in second place, marking the first time since 1997 that the Lady Mocs have not garnered the top spot in the preseason poll. Coming in third place was UNC Greensboro, who returns the 2003 SoCon Player of the Year, Jennifer Hubbard. Rounding out the poll were Furman in sixth place, followed by Elon in seventh and Appalachian State in eighth place. Play begins for the Buccaneers on Friday, February 13 as ETSU hosts Mars Hill at Kiwanis Park. 2004 SoCon Preseason Softball Poll 1. College of Charleston (7) 49 2. Chattanooga (1) 39 3. UNC Greensboro 34 4. Georgia Southern 30 5. East Tennessee State 28 6. Furman 23 7. Elon 11 8. Appalachian State 10