University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Softball Picked to Finish Second
1/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Southern Miss Softball Picked to Finish Second
HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? The Conference USA office released the 2002 preseason softball poll today, and the Southern Miss Lady Eagles are projected to finish the league in second place, as voted by all nine conference head coaches. DePaul, the defending regular-season champion, has been selected to claim this year?s title.
Felicia Gonzales has been chosen as the conference?s preseason pitcher of the year. The senior was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Year last season, collecting a 29-10 record with a 1.37 ERA and 366 strikeouts. She also tossed four no-hitters and one perfect game.
Tammy Edwards was also named to the preseason all-league team. The junior batted .272 with nine home runs and a team-best 38 RBIs last season.
DePaul?s Sarah Martz has been named preseason Player of the Year. She received conference player of the year and freshman of the year honors last season.
The Lady Eagles have won the past two C-USA tournaments, finishing last season with a 46-21 overall record, 15-6 conference record. They have made three-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Regionals.
Southern Miss begins the 2002 season on Tuesday, Feb. 12, with a home doubleheader against McNeese State at 5 p.m. The opening-night contests will be held at Timberton Park, in Hattiesburg.
2002 Conference USA Softball Preseason Poll
(2001 Overall, Conference Record)
1. DePaul (51-16-1, 17-3)
2. Southern Miss (46-21, 15-6)
3. South Florida (43-34, 12-9)
4. Louisville (40-26, 12-9)
5. Houston (22-33, 10-10)
6. East Carolina (51-23, ECAC Tournament Champions)
7. UAB (27-35, 10-11)
8. Saint Louis (25-34, 5-16)
9. Charlotte (17-33, 2-19)
2002 Conference USA Softball Preseason Poll
C: Gina Ramacci, Jr., DePaul
IF: Liz Bouck, Jr., DePaul
IF: Tammy Edwards, Jr., Southern Miss
IF: Angela Manzo, Sr., East Carolina
IF: Melissa Jacobo, Jr. Louisville
IF: Renee Oursler, Jr., South Florida
OF: Keola Calderon, Jr., Louisville
OF: Shavaughne Desecki, Sr., DePaul
OF: Cliffanie Engram, Jr., UAB
OF: Erin Jeffery, Sr., Saint Louis
P: Lindsay Chouinard, Jr., DePaul
P: Felicia Gonzales, Sr., Southern Miss
UT: Sarah Martz, So., DePaul
DP: Arelis Ferreris, So., Houston
DP: Nicole Bohnenstiehl, Jr., Saint Louis
Most Valuable Player: Sarah Martz, So., DePaul
Pitcher of the Year: Felicia Gonzales, Sr., Southern Miss
