Jan. 17, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
South Carolina softball was voted to finish fourth in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division by the league’s coaches, while the Tennessee Lady Vols were picked to win the 2006 regular season title.

The Gamecocks finished fourth in the East in 2005 with an 11-16 SEC record and a 28-28-1 overall record. Tennessee received the most votes with 49, followed by Georgia (39), Florida (37), South Carolina (23) and Kentucky (14). In the Western Division, Alabama (57) was picked first, followed by Auburn and LSU tied for second (48), Mississippi State (38), Ole Miss (22) and Arkansas (20).

For the SEC Champion title, Tennessee received nine votes of the 11 first-place votes, while Florida and Georgia each received one.

The Gamecocks began practice Tuesday afternoon at Beckham Field. The Garnet and Black will open the season Feb. 10 against Purdue at the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla. USC’s home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15 against Winthrop. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.