ACU picked to finish 5th in LSC South Division
Defending champion ENMU picked to repeat
ACU, which last year finished third in the Lone Star Conference
South Division and reached the post-season tournament, has been picked to
finish fifth in this year's race, according to the pre-season poll that
was released Friday.
Eastern New Mexico, the defending division champion, is the overwhelming
favorite to win the title in 2002. The Zias collected 10 of a possible
11 first-place votes to finish with 65 points. ENMU finished last season
with a 38-14 record and became the first LSC team compete in the NCAA Division
II Softball World Series where it finished fourth in the nation.
Tarleton State, which had its streak of three straight South Division
titles snapped last year, was picked second in the poll with 52 points.
Texas A&M-Kingsville and Angelo State -- in the first year of its program
-- tied for third, followed by ACU and Texas Woman's.
ENMU infielder Rachel Mohler was the voter's pick for South Division
Player of the Year. Mohler, a first team third baseman, hit .398 with 10
home runs last season.
In the LSC North Division, Southeastern Oklahoma and Northeastern State
tied for the top spot. The Lady Savages of Southeastern Oklahoma have won
three straight league championships and collected six first-place votes
to finish with 45 points.
The Lady Reds of Northeastern State collected two first-place and six
second-place votes to finish with 45 points.
Southwestern Oklahoma State infielder Lauren Brown was chosen as the
division's Pre-Season Player of the Year. Brown led the league in hitting
with a .478 average and was named Freshman of the Year in 2001.
