MVSU Favored to Win SWAC Softball Title
SWAC.org
The Mississippi Valley State Devilettes are the preseason favorites to win the 2012 SWAC title according to league coaches and SIDs. MVSU edged Jackson State in the voting by one point.
The Devilettes received five first place votes while JSU grabbed four. Alcorn State also received four first place votes, but only finished fifth in the voting. Three other teams received first place votes. Preseason No. 4 pick Texas Southern got two first place votes, while No. 3 Southern and No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff got one vote apiece.
Alabama State was the No. 6 team chosen, while Grambling was 7th, Alabama A&M 9th and Prairie View 10th. Here are the complete preseason standings with voting.
1 Mississippi Valley State (47 pts)
2 Jackson State (48 pts)
3 Southern (73 pts)
4 Texas Southern (74 pts)
5 Alcorn State (83 pts)
6 Alabama State (110 pts)
7 Grambling State (124 pts)
8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (126 pts)
9 Alabama A&M (150 pts)
10 Prairie View (154 pts)
REED VOTED PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jackson State infielder Wendi Reed has been chosen preseason SWAC Player of the Year. The 5-7 junior from Little Rock, Ark. started 48 games in 2011. She batted .338 with seven triples, six doubles and 29 RBI. Reed was ranked No. 2 in the nation in steals with 55. She also scored 29 runs. She was a member of the 2011 All-SWAC first team. In addition, Reed was SWAC tournament Most Valuable Player. In addition to her 2012 SWAC preseason honors, Reed was also picked for the College Sports Madness Pre-Season All-Conference team.
SPIVEY VOTED PRESEASON PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Mississippi Valley State hurler Kimberly Spivey is tabbed Preseason SWAC Pitcher of the Year. In 2011, the 5-7 junior from Dallas was 14-16 with an ERA of 4.49. She had four shutouts with 175 strikeouts. Spivey was also preseason SWAC Pitcher of the Year in 2011 as well. She finished the season as Pitcher of the Year. In addition, Spivey was a member of the 2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Region team.
Here is the complete listing of SWAC Preseason picks as chosen by the SWAC coaches and SIDs.
Preseason First Team All-SWAC team
P - Breea Jamerson, Jackson State University (5-5, Fr., Los Angeles, Calif.)
P - LeEthel Guillory, Jackson State University (5-3, Jr., Bossier Parish, La.)
P - Kimberly Spivey, Mississippi Valley State (5-7, Jr., Dallas, Texas)
C - Yesenia Torres, Texas Southern (5-8, Sr., Edinburg, Texas)
INF - Jasmin Riley, Alabama A&M University (5-6, Jr., Ellenwood, Ga..)
INF - Wendi Reed, Jackson State (5-7, Jr., Little Rock, Ark.)
INF - Alexandria Robertson, Mississippi Valley State (5-5, Jr., Cedar Park, Texas)
INF - Shawntall Steamer, Southern (5-9, SS, Jr., Freeport, Texas)
OF - Meagan Dixon, Alabama State University (5-8, So., Canyon Springs, Calif.)
OF - Raven Turner, Grambling State, (5'6, Sr., Crossett, Ark.)
OF - Monica Castillo, Texas Southern (5-3, So., Leander, Texas)
Preseason Second Team All-SWAC team
P - Deanna Rancilio, Alcorn State (5-7, Jr., Riverview, Mich.)
P - Rebecca Villareal, Texas Southern (5-3, Jr. | Houston, Texas)
P - Jessica Haynes, Texas Southern (5-8, Jr., Houston, Texas)
C - Nicole Burr, Mississippi Valley State (5-11, Jr., Monterey, Calif.)
INF - Brehanna Rodriques, Alabama State (5-4, Jr., Redlands, Calif.)
INF - Ayesha Famble, Alabama State University (5-5, Sr., Grayson, Ga.)
INF - Diana Parade, Mississippi Valley State (5-4, Sr., Pecos, Texas)
INF - Audrey Phillips, Southern (5-7, Sr., Manfield, Texas)
OF - Whitley Golson, Alabama State University (5-2, Jr., Prattville, Ala.)
OF - Brittanee Crayton Alcorn State (5-8, Sr., Jackson, Ala.)
OF - Ashley Hobbs, Mississippi Valley State (5-6, Sr., Freeport, Texas)