SAINT LEO, Fla. – For the fourth consecutive season, the Sunshine State Conference softball coaches tabbed Saint Leo as preseason no. 1, announced by the leagues office Friday.
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The Lions tallied 94 total votes and six first-place votes as the favorites to win a third league title in four seasons. Palm Beach Atlantic fell just short of the Green and Gold with 91 total votes and the remaining five first-place votes.
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Saint Leo returns 15 players from the 2018 roster, including first team all-conference selection
Kacie Kelly, and second team selections
Ashley Morris and
Shyanne DuBois.
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Kelly led the team in runs (49), doubles (15) and walks (26) while posting a team-best .373 batting average. DuBois and Morris were right behind Kelly tied for second in average at .363 as Morris led the team in hits (70) and DuBois leading in stolen bases (35).
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The Lions return their top four hitters in terms of average while their top five RBI leaders head back to the diamond in 2019.
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Behind Saint Leo in the SSC preseason poll, Palm Beach Atlantic, the 2018 SSC Champions, were in second followed by Tampa in third (81 points), Embry-Riddle (71 points), Florida Tech (66 points), Nova Southeastern (45 points), Florida Southern (37 points), Lynn (28 points), Eckerd (23 points), and Barry (15 points) in 11th place in the poll.
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The Lions open 2019 on the road on Friday, Feb. 1 in Gulf Shores, Ala. at the D2 Gulf Shores Invitational where Saint Leo will play six games over three days. Saint Leo will take on Alabama-Huntsville as a rematch from the South Super Regional in 2018 before taking on West Florida, Lee, West Georgia, Delta State and Mississippi College.
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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.
2019 SSC SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
| Rank |
School (FPV*) |
Total Votes |
| 1 |
Saint Leo (6) |
94 |
| 2 |
Palm Beach Atlantic (5) |
91 |
| 3 |
Tampa |
81 |
| 4 |
Embry-Riddle |
71 |
| 5 |
Florida Tech |
66 |
| 6 |
Rollins |
54 |
| 7 |
Nova Southeastern |
45 |
| 8 |
Florida Southern |
37 |
| 9 |
Lynn |
28 |
| 10 |
Eckerd |
23 |
| 11 |
Barry |
15 |
