SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo Softball was picked to finish fourth in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Coaches Preseason Poll, when the league announced the rankings on Wednesday, January 18.
 
The Lions are right behind rivals Tampa, Nova Southeastern, and Rollins who were picked to finish top three, respectively. The Spartans were picked to win the conference with 97 points and seven first place votes. The Sharks were picked second with 89 points and three first place votes. The Tars of Rollins rounded up the top three in third with 84 points and one first place vote. Saint Leo received 72 points coming in fourth in the poll, 11 more than the fifth-place team, Embry-Riddle. 
 
Head Coach Erin Kinberger's squad finished in sixth place in the conference standings in 2022 with a 16-14 SSC record and an 28-18 overall record during the campaign. The Lions will look to bounce back this year and capture the program's first conference title since 2017 and fourth overall. Kinberger enters her ninth season at the helm of the Lions with a 254-108 career record.
 
Rounding out the remaining SSC poll were Embry-Riddle in fifth (61 total points), Barry (58), Florida Tech (48), Palm Beach Atlantic (31), Florida Southern (30), Eckerd (23) and Lynn (12). Saint Leo opens their season in Gulf Shores, Alabama on Friday, February 3 vs. Auburn University Montgomery. The Lions travel to West Palm Beach for their SSC opener on Friday, February 17 to kick off a three-game, two-day series with Palm Beach Atlantic. 

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
 

2023 SSC SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Rank School (FPV) Total Points

1 Tampa (7) 97

2 Nova Southeastern (3) 89

3 Rollins (1) 84

4 Saint Leo 72

5 Embry-Riddle 61

6 Barry 58

7 Florida Tech 48

8 Palm Beach Atlantic 31

9 Florida Southern 30

10 Eckerd 23

11 Lynn 12