Birmingham, Ala. – For the third consecutive year the defending champions, Mississippi Valley State University has been predicted to win the eastern divisional title. Texas Southern University secured the No. 1 spot for the western division in preseason polls. The polls are based on Southwestern Athletic Conference head coaches and sports information directors in the annual preseason poll, points are awarded based on top selections. Coaches and (SIDs) were not allowed to vote for their own players.
The Devilettes, who received nine first-place votes with 60 points finished the 2013 season with a 25-30 overall record and capturing the program’s eighth SWAC title. MVSU has played in the NCAA tournament eight times where they hold a 3-16 record with wins against Missouri, Cornell and Chattanooga.
Jackson State was picked second for the eastern division with 54 points and five first-place votes, followed by Alabama State in third place with 47 points. The remaining rankings include: Alabama A&M with 33 points and Alcorn State with one first-place vote and 27 points.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers hope to capture another western divisional title, they garnered 73 points with nine first-place votes. TSU also reclaimed the preseason individual award as Thomasina Garza was selected as top preseason Player of the Year.
Prairie View A&M was selected second for the western division receiving 48 points with four first-place votes. Southern received one first-place vote while tying with Arkansas-Pine Bluff for third place with 40 points respectively. Grambling collected 30 points to finish in fourth place with one first place vote.
Eastern
1. Mississippi Valley State – 60 (9)
2. Jackson State – 54 (5)
3. Alabama State - 47
4. Alabama A&M - 33
5. Alcorn State – 27 (1)
Western
1. Texas Southern - 73 (9)
2. Prairie View A&M – 48 (4)
T3. Southern – 40 (1)
T3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 40
4. Grambling State – 30 (1)
Garza selected as Preseason Player of the Year
Texas Southern’s infielder Thomasina Garza has been selected as SWAC Preseason Player of the Year. The 5-3 junior from Pasadena, Texas was named the 2013 SWAC Player of the Year last season. Garza played in 46 regular season games for TSU, batting .494. She led the SWAC with 25 doubles, 61 RBI and 77 hits. In addition Garza was second in the conference in total bases with 124, racking up an on-base percentage of .795.
Jamerson Tabbed as Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Breea Jamerson, the 5-5 junior from Los Angeles, California was tabbed SWAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Last season she started in 36 games while recording an ERA of 3.05, 104 strikeouts and 243.0 innings pitched. Jamerson’s most recent honors include College Sports All-Madness Team, Preseason All-SWAC, Mardi Gras All-Tournament Team and SWAC All-Conference first team.
In addition Garza and Jamerson both earned a spot on the Preseason All-SWAC first team.
Here is the complete listing of the 2014 SWAC Preseason picks selected by the league coaches and SIDs. Retuning first team All-SWAC selection from 2013 automatically earned spots on the Preseason All-SWAC first team.
@ - First team All-SWAC 2013
# - Second team All-SWAC 2013
First Team
@Pitcher - Breea Jamerson (Jackson State)
#Pitcher - Lacie Sutterfield (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
Pitcher – Cally Falls (Prairie View)
#Catcher – Alisa Navarro (Prairie View)
@First Base - Brianna Parker (Texas Southern)
@Second Base - Thomasina Garza (Texas Southern)
@Shortstop - Princess Daniels (Texas Southern)
Third Base – Haley Smith (Texas Southern)
#Outfield - Lauren Aikens (Jackson State)
#Outfield - Yasmin Battle (Mississippi Valley State)
#Outfield – Meagan Dixon (Alabama State)
Second Team
Pitcher – Jeneice Tillman (Texas Southern)
Pitcher – Cassandra Rivera (Mississippi Valley)
Pitcher – Angela Perez (Grambling State)
Catcher – Harley Roller (Southern)
First Base – Makayla Webster (Alabama State)
#Second Base - Canessa Swanson (Jackson State)
Shortstop – T1. Alexandra Harris (Alcorn State)
Alicia Barajas (Southern)
Third Base – Ashley Skinner (Grambling State)
Outfield – Peyton Simms (Prairie View)
Outfield – Ashanti Joe (Grambling State)
Outfield – Lexus Walker (Prairie View)
Courtesy: SWAC.org