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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Union University has won the
TranSouth Athletic Conference regular season softball title for
the last six seasons and the TranSouth coaches voted the Bulldogs
as the favorite to make that seven consecutive titles. Former
TranSouth member Lipscomb University won the first two TranSouth
titles in 1997 and 1998, but since then the regular season title
has belonged to Union. Union owns four of the eight TranSouth
tournament titles as well.
The NAIA Softball Preseason Poll is scheduled
to be released on February 16, 2005. Check
www.naia.org for the results.
As voted on by the TranSouth coaches, Union
University was first with all five first place votes. Union
finished 2004 with a 45-16 record, a 14-6 conference record and a
No. 9 NAIA National Ranking. Union advanced to the NAIA Softball
World Series for the fourth consecutive season and fifth time in
six seasons. Union returns junior pitcher and first team
all-conference pitcher Mary Kosco and Allison Shein who was a
first team all-conference performer after finishing with the third
best batting average in the conference.
Martin Methodist College follows Union as the
No. 2 team in the preseason ranking. The Redhawks return a solid
core from a team that produced the best season in school history.
Becky Hodges and Rachael Phillips return from a team that finished
2004 with a 39-18 overall record, 12-8 conference record and the
No. 23 ranking in the final NAIA Poll. The team advanced to the
NAIA Region XI Tournament for the third consecutive year.
Freed-Hardeman University comes in as No. 3
after proving to be a serious contender last season. The Lions
finished 2004 with a 25-16 overall record and 8-12 conference
mark. The Lions return all-conference performers Cassie Smith and
Marie Pickler.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranks No. 4. The
Trojans finished 2004 with a 29-17 overall record, 11-9 conference
record and received votes in the final NAIA National Poll.
Trevecca returns Ashley McCool who shared the Co-Newcomer of the
Year award and was a first team all-conference member. Trevecca
will be led by first year head coach Ernie Reynolds.
Cumberland University is ranked No. 5. The
Bulldogs finished 2004 with a 22-28 overall record and 2-18
conference mark. The Bulldogs gained momentum heading into the
2005 season by upsetting the No. 3 and No. 2 seeds in the 2004
TranSouth Tournament.
2005 TRANSOUTH PRESEASON SOFTBALL POLL
(First Place Votes)
1. Union University (Tenn.) Bulldogs (6)
2. Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) RedHawks
3. Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) Lions
4. Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.) Trojans
5. Cumberland University (Tenn.) Bulldogs
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