Jan. 29, 2009

SPARTANBURG, S.C. ---- The Samford softball team has been picked to finish sixth in their first year as a Southern Conference member in a preseason poll voted on by conference coaches and released by the SoCon office on Thursday. The Bulldogs finished sixth in their last season in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2008.

"On paper it makes since that we were picked middle of the pack," Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham said. "Our season record was not particularly impressive last year and was on par with the middle of the pack in the SoCon. I am sure most of the teams do not know how strong we finished the season or about the strength of our returning players. I think we will be much improved over last year and being picked sixth will be motivation for us to work even harder to make our mark this first season in the SoCon. We have a lot to prove in our new conference and to ourselves this season."

Senior outfielder Jessica Owens was named First Team Preseason All-Southern Conference. Owens was named to the 2008 All-OVC First Team and started all but on game for the Bulldogs last season at left field. She posted a .373 average as Samford's lead-off hitter and now ranks as Samford's third best hitter with a career average of .301. She held the conference's third longest hitting streak (12) while posting 17 multi-hit games during the season.

Sophomore outfielder Aaren Fisher received Second Team recognition. Fisher was named to the OVC's All-Freshman team last season and was one of only three players to start all 54 of the Bulldogs' meetings last season. As a true freshman, she played most of the year at centerfield while also acting as the designated hitter for 11 games. She stole 10 bases on 14 attempts and ranked second on the team in runs score while tallying 40 hits on the season.

"I think both Jessica and Aaren are deserving of recognition," Ketcham said. "They will be two key players among others who will help set the tone for our team this year. They are both offensive threats and perform well when the game is on the line. Their production will be a key for us this year."

Chattanooga, who has won the conference title for the past two years, was picked to win it for a third time this season. College of Charleston and Elon were projected to finish second and third, respectively, while Georgia Southern and UNC Greensboro were voted to finish just ahead of Samford at fourth and fifth places, respectively. Rounding out the preseason poll is No. 7 Furman, No. 8 Appalachian State and No. 9 Western Carolina.

Samford kicks off the season next Thursday, Feb. 5 as it hosts Mississippi Valley State in a 5 p.m. CT match-up at Bulldog Field. The Bulldogs are the first SoCon team to play in the 2008 season. The 2009 Southern Conference Softball Championship is scheduled to be played in Chattanooga, Tenn., May 6-9.

Preseason Poll (1st Votes) Total Points
1. Chattanooga (8) 64
2. College of Charleston 55
3. Elon (1) 48
4. Georgia Southern 37
5. UNC Greensboro 34
6. Samford 29
7. Furman 24
8. Appalachian State 19
9. Western Carolina 14

First Team Preseason All-Southern Conference
P - Brooke Loudermilk - Chattanooga
P - Hannah Angel - UNC Greensboro
C - Jenny Side - Georgia Southern
1B - Michelle Fuzzard - Chattanooga
2B - Nina Iduate - Georgia Southern
SS - Amanda Hall - Georgia Southern
3B - Robyne Siliga - Georgia Southern
OF - Tiffany Harmon - College of Charleston
OF - Laci Upchurch - Chattanooga
OF - Jessica Owens - Samford
DP - Shannon Howard - College of Charleston
UT - Katie Boyd - Appalachian State

Second Team Preseason All-Southern Conference
P - Megen Smith - Georgia Southern
P - Kandice Irwin - Chattanooga
C - Jaimie Rao - Elon
1B - Brythe Blankenship - Furman
2B - Jacqueline Gonzalez - Elon
SS - Stephanie Cushing - Furman
3B - Toni Hutchison - Chattanooga
OF - Michelle Beasley - Georgia Southern
OF - Meredith Mielke - Furman
OF - Aaren Fisher - Samford
DP - Amber Hawkins - Western Carolina
UT - Mollie Fowler - Western Carolina