UMO softball tabbed 1st in preseason CC poll

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 24, 2014 1:48 PM

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HIGH POINT -- Coming off its most successful season in program history, the University of Mount Olive softball team has gone from the hunter to the hunted.

Eight of the league's nine coaches expect the Trojans to defend their Conference Carolinas championship, according to the preseason poll released Thursday morning. UMO returns eight players who earned all-conference honors in either 2012 or 2013.

King (Tenn.) University, the 2013 regular-season title-holder, collected one first-place nod. Limestone (S.C.) College was picked third, followed by in-state rivals North Greenville and Erskine.

Pfeiffer, Barton, Belmont Abbey and Lees-McRae rounded out the poll.

"It's nice to see the respect these young ladies have among the other coaches, however, all this ranking does is broaden the target on our backs," UMO head coach Jaime Kylis said. "It should be an interesting season as I think our conference gets better every year."

The Trojans return their entire pitching staff and all but one starter off last year's squad which advanced to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. Back in the circle are 2013 conference tournament MVP Lauren Smith, senior right-hander Carly White and Madison Johnston.

Middle infielders Katie Moore and Jennifer Jones are back along with first baseman Beth Overman and third baseman Kalie Smith. Patrolling the outfield are all-conference performers Kelsey Akers and Savannah Becker.

Erin Brogan returns behind the dish.

King brings back nine starters, including the reigning Conference Carolinas pitcher-of-the-year -- Hannah Light. Light logged 236 strikeouts and a team-high 23 victories on the mound last season.

Limestone returns two pitchers and six infielders.

Mount Olive opens its 2013 season Feb. 1 at Peach Belt member Armstrong, and plays its first home doubleheader against Wingate on Feb. 19.