ATLANTA, Ga. --With 12 lettermen, including four starters back from a team that won 40 games last season, the University of North Alabama softball team has been picked to finish fifth in the 2023 ASUN Conference race in a pre-season vote by the league's head coaches.
Liberty was picked as the pre-season conference favorite, followed by Central Arkansas, Kennesaw State, North Florida and North Alabama. Following the Lions in the poll were Jacksonville State, FGCU, Austin Peay, Lipscomb, Jacksonville, Stetson, Eastern Kentucky, Bellarmine and Queens. Liberty received 13 of the possible 14 first-place votes.
North Alabama received 132 total points in the poll.
UNA finished the 2022 season with a 40-20 record, going 15 -9 in conference play and finishing second in the ASUN West.
The Lions advanced to the National Invitational Softball Championship, winning two games in the tournament.
Leading the way among UNA returnees are junior shortstop
Haven Kirby, senior catcher
Georgia Land, sophomore second abseman
Hailey Jones and junior outfielder
Sidney Bevis. Three pitchers also return in junior
Maci Birdyshaw (18-5), junior
Sophie Golliver (8-3) and sophomore
Elena Escobar (3-5).
North Alabama opens it 2023 season on February 11 against Mississippi Valley State at home.
2023 ASUN Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
Pl. Team 1st Place Votes Points
1. Liberty 13 195
2. Central Arkansas 174
3. Kennesaw State 151
4. North Florida 148
5. North Alabama 132
6. Jacksonville State 129
7. FGCU 1 101
8. Austin Peay 100
9. Lipscomb 86
10. Jacksonville 74
11. Stetson 67
12. Eastern Kentucky 65
13. Bellarmine 28
14. Queens 20
