Alabama softball named preseason favorite in SEC Coaches Poll
Alabama players Montana Fouts and KB Sides yell for their teammate Bailey Hemphill after Hemphill hit a two-run home run to give Alabama a 6-5 lead during the SEC Tournament in Rhoads Stadium Friday, May 14, 2021. [Pool Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter AJ Holliday
Alabama softball has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Southeastern Conference for the third straight year. The Crimson Tide earned seven first-place votes in the 2022 SEC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll, released Monday.
The Crimson Tide won the SEC regular season title in 2019 and the SEC tournament in 2021. Alabama was defeated by Florida State in last year’s Women’s College World Series semi-final by a score of 8-5.
Eleven players return from last year’s team, including SEC Tournament MVP and NFCA Pitcher of the Year Montana Fouts. Three-time All-American Kaylee Tow is set to return for the Tide as well.
Alabama led the way with 138 points and seven first-place votes, Florida finished second with 131 points and three first-place votes and Arkansas was third with 124 points, to go along with two first-place votes.
Points for the poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 basis. Coaches weren’t allowed to vote for their own team.
