MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama softball is ranked No. 23 in the NFCA/USA Today Division I preseason poll released Tuesday, the second straight season the Jaguars have opened in the Top 25.
Building on 2014
South Alabama finished last season ranked No. 22 after going 42-14 overall and 15-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars placed second in the Sun Belt regular-season standings and reached an NCAA Regional final for the third consecutive year.
As the No. 2 seed in last season’s Sun Belt Tournament, South Alabama reached the championship game before falling to Louisiana-Lafayette, ending its bid for a third straight tournament title.
South Alabama returns 11 letterwinners, including eight starters and eight seniors. The Jaguars lost only two players to graduation, leaving most of last season’s lineup intact for 2015.
Ranked Opponents on the Schedule
South Alabama opens its 2015 season Feb. 5 against No. 3 Alabama, meaning the Jaguars will face a top-five opponent in their first game of the year.
The Jaguars’ schedule also includes No. 9 Louisiana-Lafayette, a Sun Belt rival, and No. 19 LSU. South Carolina, another opponent, received votes but did not crack the Top 25.
Top of the Poll
Florida opens the season at No. 1 for the second time in program history after winning its first Women’s College World Series title last season. Oregon, a semifinalist at last year’s WCWS, was voted No. 2, narrowly behind the Gators.
The NFCA/USA Today poll is voted on by Division I head coaches. South Alabama competes in the Sun Belt Conference.
