SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference softball coaches selected Saint Leo to repeat as the SSC Champions, unanimously in the 2018 SSC Preseason poll announced Tuesday afternoon. The Lions received 100 total votes with 10 of 11 possible first-place votes from opposing coaches.

The Lions finished 2016 ranked No. 22 in the NFCA poll after posting a 37-15 and 17-7 record in the SSC on the way to winning the third conference title, and second straight in program history. Saint Leo hosted the NCAA Division II South Regional at University Softball Stadium, marking the first time to host a regional in program history.

"The Sunshine State Conference is full of talented teams and coaches, being voted No.1 in the preseason poll is nice," Head Coach Erin Kinberger stated. "But this team recognizes at the end of the day, it's the PRE-season poll, words on paper, no guarantees in terms of the present or the future. I'm proud of this group of women who seem to get the 'big picture'; they approach the game with maturity, attention to detail, and their team chemistry will be their best asset this season."

Kacie Kelly wrapped up her first season in the Green and Gold with NFCA and D2CCA All-American honors, where she was also named the SSC Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year, while being selected to the First Team All-SSC. Kelly and Alison Mitts return as the lone duo of All-SSC members from a year ago, having lost 2017 All-SSC First teamers Rachael Heath and Stephanie Adkins to graduation.

Saint Leo is set to open its 2018 schedule on Feb. 4 at the Division II Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala., as the Lions look to play Delta State at 11a.m. The Green and Gold open its home schedule on Feb. 9 with Young Harris at 7 p.m.

For more information on the Saint Leo softball program, visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
2018 SSC SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Rank 1 2 3 4 4 5 7 8 9 10 11

School (FPV) Saint Leo (10) Tampa Palm Beach Atlantic (1) Rollins Embry-Riddle Nova Southeastern Lynn Florida Tech Barry Eckerd Florida Southern

Total Votes 100 84 75 59 59 58 50 49 25 24 22