January 29, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Southeastern Conference announced today that the University of South Carolina softball team was picked to win the SEC Eastern Division, while LSU was picked to win the Western Division and the 2002 SEC softball regular-season.

South Carolina paced the Eastern Division vote tally with 53 points and all but two first-place votes. Florida, earning two first place votes, was picked second in Eastern Division with 42 points. In the Western Division, LSU tallied 66 points and all 11 first-place selections. Alabama was voted second, followed by Arkansas.

Points for the poll were awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis for the Eastern Division and 6-5-4-3-2-1- basis for the Western Division.

South Carolina is also represented in the USA Today/NFCA Preseason Poll where they are ranked 22nd. Arizona is among the leader board, followed by UCLA. Stanford and SEC rival, LSU, are tied for third.

2002 SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll