SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Elon University softball team was named the 2011 preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference softball championship in balloting conducted by the league’s head coaches. The league office made the announcement on Tuesday morning, Feb. 8.
The Phoenix earned five of the possible nine first-place votes and received 61 points overall to claim the top spot. Elon returns nine starters (one utility) and four pitchers from last season’s team that finished 38-21 and swept through the conference tournament. Elon's 38 wins last season were the most by any team in program history. The team's SoCon championship was the first league title won by any women's team at Elon since joining the SoCon, while the team's NCAA Regional appearance was also a first.
Elon had a total of six student-athletes on the all-conference teams, including four first-teamers. Catcher
Kaitlyn Piazzolla, second baseman
Jackie Gonzalez and outfielders
Emerald Graham and
Tomeka Watson earned the first-team honors. Representing the Phoenix on the second-team were shortstop
Danielle Lafferty and pitcher and designated player #Erin O’Shea#.
2011 Preseason Poll
1. Elon-61 points (5 first place votes)
2. Chattanooga-59 points (4 first place votes)
3. Georgia Southern-46 points
4. UNCG-39 points
5. Appalachian State-33 points
6. College of Charleston-32 points
7. Furman-24 points
8. Samford-21 points
9. Western Carolina-9 points
Preseason Player of the Year
Megen Smith, Utility, Georgia Southern
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern
Preseason First-Team All-Conference
P-Kandice Irwin, Chattanooga
P-Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern
C-Kaitlyn Piazzolla, Elon
1B-Alex Emeterio, UNCG
2B-Jackie Gonzalez, Elon
SS-Kaitlin Merkt, UNCG
3B-Katie Boyd, Appalachian State
OF-Emerald Graham, Elon
OF-Lyndsey Stiles, Chattanooga
OF-Tomeka Watson, Elon
DP-Eileen Horsmon, UNCG
UT-Megen Smith, Georgia Southern
Preseason Second-Team All-Conference
P-Erin O’Shea, Elon
P-Caitlin Wainright, Appalachian State
C-Michelle Lighton, Appalachian State
1B-Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga
2B-McKenzie Phillips, Appalachian State
SS-Danielle Lafferty, Elon
3B-Tiffany Baker, Chattanooga
OF-Stephanie Field, Furman
OF-Katie Michaels, Furman
OF-Sarah Rappe, Appalachian State
DP-Erin O’Shea, Elon
UT-Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga
-- ELON --