SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Four Phoenix softball players were named to the Southern Conference 2012 preseason all-conference team, including one first-teamer, the league announced today, Feb. 3. The Elon squad was selected to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll after receiving 32 points.
 
Outfielder Tomeka Watson earned first-team honors after starting all 54 games for the Phoenix in 2011 and leading the team with 65 hits and 24 stolen bases. Pitcher #Erin O’Shea#, catcher Kaitlyn Piazzolla and outfielder Carleigh Nester were named to the second team.
 
Chattanooga, which is seeking its sixth consecutive regular season title, earned eight first-place votes for a total of 64 points en route to being selected the favorite to win this season’s conference championship. Georgia Southern senior Marie Fogle was named the preseason Player of the Year while sophomore teammate Allie Miles was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Coaches were not allowed to voted for their own team or student-athletes in the balloting.
 
The 2012 Elon softball season will begin on Friday, Feb. 10, against Liberty at 3:30 p.m. in the first game of the Elon Invitational.

2012 Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) – Points
1. Chattanooga (8) – 64
2. College of Charleston – 50
3. Georgia Southern (1) – 48
4. Appalachian State – 44
5. UNCG – 39
6. Elon – 32
7. Furman – 22
8. Samford – 17
9. Western Carolina – 8
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Marie Fogle, Outfield, Georgia Southern
 
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Allie Miles, Georgia Southern
 
Preseason First-Team All-Conference
P – Stephanie Saylors, College of Charleston
P – Allie Miles, Georgia Southern
C – Katelyn Bedwell, UNCG
1B – Alex Emeterio, UNCG
2B – Sara Poteat, Chattanooga
SS – Aisha Figueroa, UNCG
3B – Jessie Homesley, Furman
OF – Allie Cashion, Appalachian State
OF – Marie Fogle, Georgia Southern
OF – Tomeka Watson, Elon
DP – Vivian Morimoto, Chattanooga
UT – Meghan Smith, Appalachian State
 
Preseason Second-Team All-Conference
P – Erin O’Shea, Elon
P – Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga
C – Kaitlyn Piazolla, Elon
1B – Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga
2B – Hanna Ennis, Georgia Southern
SS – Lizzy Vaughn, College of Charleston
3B – Kelsey Hodgson, College of Charleston
OF – Carly Corthell, College of Charleston
OF – Carleigh Nester, Elon
OF – Stephanie Field, Furman
DP – Lauren Collier, Furman
UT – Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga