Jan. 22, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division for the 2007 season in a vote by league coaches. The Gamecocks finished ninth overall in the SEC last year after finishing and 8-21 in the conference and 28-30 overall.

USC is lead by senior McKenna Hughes, who led the team in home runs, RBIs, total bases, and slugging percentage in 2006. Junior Jessica Josker, and sophomore Ashton Payne, will also return after finishing first and second, respectively, on the team in batting average.

Coaches unanimously chose Tennessee to win the SEC regular-season and the Eastern Division title. LSU was selected as the as the Western Division winner. Georgia and Florida were selected ahead of USC, while Kentucky rounded out the Eastern Division at the No. 5 spot.

The Gamecocks will open the season Feb. 9 at the Florida Atlantic University Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla. against Pittsburgh. The first pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m.

Eastern Division
1) Tennessee (10)
2) Georgia (21)
3) Florida (26)
4) South Carolina (39)
5) Kentucky (44)

Western Division
1) LSU (14)
2) Alabama (15)
3) Auburn (30)
4) Arkansas (37)
5) Mississippi State (49)
6) Ole Miss (50)