Softball Selected First in Conference USA Preseason Poll

[Coach Andy Mac]

DALLAS – The three-time Conference USA champion UNT softball team was voted first in the league’s preseason poll, garnering nine of 10 first place votes and 99 points overall, the league announced on Thursday. The first-place preseason selection marks the third occasion in program history to enter the season as favorites and third in the past four seasons.

North Texas senior Ashley Peters was named the C-USA Preseason Pitcher of the Year after a 20-win season last year. Peters becomes the second pitcher in program history to be awarded the superlative recognition after Hope Trautwein captured the honor in 2020 and 2021.

The Mean Green also placed five players on the C-USA preseason team, the most in program history passing marks of three selections in 2019 and 2020. Peters joins catcher Kalei Christensen, infielder Kailey Gamble, outfielder Lexi Cobb and pitcher Skylar Savage as members of the all-conference squad.  UNT had the most selections in the league with no other team having more than two honorees, which are selected by the conference’s head coaches.

“It’s good to see some of our players get recognized because they work hard and are very deserving,” head coach Rodney DeLong said. “We have a tough schedule and a competitive league to compete against so preseason polls don’t mean a lot to us. We have to work hard and stay tough through the course of the season to be successful. We are excited about this team and the opportunities that are in front of us.”

UNT will begin its season at the Buzz Classic in Atlanta with a doubleheader on Feb. 10 against UIC and Saint Francis before meeting UConn and hosts Georgia Tech to wrap up the weekend.

2023 C-USA Softball Preseason Poll

1. North Texas (9) 99

2. WKU 82

3. Charlotte (1) 78

4. LA Tech 74

T5. Florida Atlantic 56

T5. UAB 56

7. UTSA 39

T8. FIU 25

T8. Middle Tennessee 25

10. UTEP 16

(first place votes)

 

C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team

C – Kalei Christensen, North Texas Jr.

C – Sierra Frazier, UAB* Sr.

IF – Ella Chancey, Charlotte* So.

IF – Kailey Gamble, North Texas* Jr.

IF – Amanda Gonzalez, LA Tech* Sr.

IF – Kat Ibarra, UTSA* Jr.

IF – Lindsey Smith, UAB So.

OF – Sara Berthiaume, Florida Atlantic* Sr.

OF – Lexi Cobb, North Texas* Jr.

OF – Taylor Davis, WKU* Sr.

OF – Sierra Sacco, LA Tech* So.

OF – Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte* Gr.

DP/UT – Marena Estell, UTSA Gr.

P – Lynn Gardner, Florida Atlantic* Gr.

P – Ashley Peters, North Texas* Sr.

P – Skylar Savage, North Texas* So.

* - 2022 all-conference selection

[UNTLifer]

Fifteen days away from opening day.  Ready for some softball.

[Brett Vito]