Auburn Montgomery Tabbed to Repeat in Softball Preseason Poll
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Defending Gulf South Conference tournament champion, Auburn Montgomery is favored by the GSC coaches to repeat, as the Warhawks topped the 2022 softball preseason poll.
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AUM claimed the top spot as it collected 138 total points and received seven-of-12 possible first-place votes. Last season, the Warhawks went 40-7 overall and 25-5 in conference play, as they captured a share of the regular-season crown and eventually appeared in the NCAA postseason for the first-time in program-history.
In 2021, Auburn Montgomery was led by stingy defense as the pitcher staff led the league in earned run average (1.63), opponent batting average (.202), hits allowed (230) and runs allowed (96), while fielding at a .969-clip, second-overall. Offensively, the Warhawks finished second in hitting (.307), runs (200), home runs (42), on-base percentage (.448) and stolen bases (78).
| 2022 SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL |
| NO. |
SCHOOL (First-Place Votes) |
TOTAL PTS |
| 1 |
Auburn Montgomery (7) |
138 |
| 2 |
Valdosta State (5) |
136 |
| 3 |
Alabama Huntsville |
120 |
| 4 |
West Florida (1) |
116 |
| 5 |
West Georgia |
98 |
| 6 |
Mississippi College |
90 |
| 7 |
Montevallo |
70 |
| 8 |
Lee |
69 |
| 9 |
Delta State |
55 |
| 10 |
West Alabama |
51 |
| 11 |
Union |
31 |
| 12 |
Christian Brothers |
27 |
| 13 |
Shorter |
13 |
Checking in at No. 2 and trailing by two points was Valdosta State, who garnered five first-place tallies. The Blazers are coming off a 38-11 season, that included a share of the GSC regular-season title as it went 25-5. VSU had one of the conference's most potent offenses last season, finishing as league-leaders in batting average (.328), runs (346), and hits (395), while its 108 total homers was more than next two teams combined. In the circle, Blazer pitchers were second in ERA (1.76), but led the way in strikeouts (311) and extra base hits allowed (52).
Alabama Huntsville followed in third with 120 points. The Chargers finished 32-14 last season and 23-7 against league competition. Statistically, the UAH bats were among the league's top three in batting average (2nd/.315), hits (2nd/390), walks (2nd/196), on-base percentage (.413), and RBI (3rd/255).
Rounding out the top five was West Florida and West Georgia. UWF was tabbed fourth as it collected 116 points and one first-place vote. The Argos were 22-7 in league action last season, while finishing 33-16 overall. The Wolves meanwhile amassed 98 points, after they finished 25-16 overall and 17-11 in conference play.
In addition to the poll, the conference also announced the top newcomer watchlist and preseason All-GSC team. Highlighting the preseason roster was Valdosta State trio of Nikki Pennington, Samantha Richards and Morgan Hill. Pennington was the conference's Player of the Year in 2021 as led the GSC in slugging (.971), runs scored (58), RBI (60) and home runs (24), while being second in OBP (.531) and fourth in hitting (.407).
Richards is the reigning GSC Pitcher of the Year, after pacing the league in ERA (1.36), innings pitched (211.2) and strikeouts (313), while notching an impressive 27-8 record. Hill was the GSC Freshman of the Year last season, ranking among the league's top five in home runs (2nd/20), runs scored (3rd/53), hits (3rd/57), RBI (4th/46).
The 2022 season officially begins Tuesday, Feb. 1, however all 13 teams will wait a few days later as they participate is the Gulf Shores Invitational held Feb.4-6 in Gulf Shores, Ala. This year's GSC tournament is slated for May 4-7 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
| 2022 SOFTBALL PRESEASON ALL-GSC |
| POS |
NAME |
CL. |
SCHOOL |
HOMETOWN |
| INF |
Nikki Pennington* |
Sr. |
Valdosta State |
Palm Bay, Fla. |
| UTL |
Teala Howard* |
Sr. |
West Florida |
Lake Butler, Fla. |
| P/INF |
Kiara Akles* |
Sr. |
Alabama Huntsville |
Heflin, Ala. |
| INF |
Molly Cobb* |
Jr. |
Auburn Montgomery |
Trussville, Ala. |
| P |
Samantha Richards* |
Jr. |
Valdosta State |
Alpharetta, Ga. |
| UTL |
Morgan Hill* |
So. |
Valdosta State |
Lake Park, Ga. |
| P |
Alanna Goble* |
Jr. |
Auburn Montgomery |
Blountsville, Ala. |
| P |
Kelsey Sweatt^ |
Sr. |
West Florida |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
| C |
McCall Lee* |
So. |
Mississippi College |
Brandon, Miss. |
| P/INF |
Taylor De Adder^ |
Sr. |
Lee |
Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada |
| UTL |
Gia Martin* |
So. |
Auburn Montgomery |
Bowling Green, Ky. |
| UTL |
Allie Miller* |
Sr. |
Auburn Montgomery |
Vandiver, Ala. |
| UTL |
Kristyn Nix^ |
Sr. |
West Georgia |
Zebulon, Ga. |
| INF |
Shelby Booker |
Sr. |
Alabama Huntsville |
Madison, Ala. |
| INF |
Mackenzie Nutt* |
Jr. |
Alabama Huntsville |
Huntsville, Ala. |
* First Team All-GSC in 2021 || ^ Second Team All-GSC in 2021