UTC Softball Selected As Preseason Favorite

Thursday, January 29, 2015

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Chattanooga Mocs have been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2015 Southern Conference softball championship by the league’s head coaches. Additionally, pitcher Katie Henderson, third baseman Sarah Beth Roberts and outfielder Nicole Osterman were named Preseason First-Team All-SoCon, while pitcher Taylor Deason, catcher Anyssa Robles, and outfielder Sam Taylor were selected to the Preseason Second-Team All-SoCon.

“It’s always nice for coaches to respect our program because I think there are several schools in the conference that could fill the spot just as easy,” head coach Frank Reed said.

“This honor definitely puts pressure on us, but nothing we can’t handle. We are always working to be and play our best. We don’t expect anything less from ourselves.”

Chattanooga earned six first-place votes for a total of 36 points to take the top spot in the preseason voting. The Mocs won the SoCon Championship last season as the No. 2 seed, winning four games at the SoCon tournament en route to the title.

Mercer totaled 27 points to come in second in the preseason poll. The Bears are set to begin their first season in the Southern Conference after finishing as the runner-up at the A-Sun tournament last season.

UNCG totaled 24 points to rank third in the preseason voting, followed closely by Samford in fourth with 23 points, including one first-place vote. Furman earned 19 points to claim fifth, with Western Carolina in sixth with 11 points and ETSU in seventh with seven points.

The league’s coaches also selected the preseason All-SoCon teams.Overall, Chattanooga led all schools with six players over the two preseason All-SoCon teams.

Highlighting the Preseason First-Team All SoCon is Henderson. In her first season in the Blue and Gold, the pitcher was named the 2014 Southern Conference Most Outstanding Player. She was also tabbed to the 2014 All-Southern Conference First Team (College Sports Madness) and the 2014 All-Southern Conference Second Team (SoCon Coaches Poll). The junior also tied a SoCon Tournament record and set a career-high with 15 strikeouts against Appalachian State last season. She also tossed 33 consecutive scoreless innings from May 3 -10, to the help the Mocs claim the 2014 SoCon title.

The Chattanooga native registered a 19-12 record in 39 appearances, 29 starts and a strike out a career-best and team-best, 181. She also totaled a team-leading 191.2 innings pitched with five shutouts leading her to be selected the SoCon Pitcher of the Week (April 14-20, April 28 - May 4).

Three-time preseason honoree, Roberts led the team’s offense in 2014 as she tied for a team best with 14 multi-hit games. She recorded three multi-RBI games and posted a 13-game hitting streak.

The third baseman’s all-around efforts garnered her a spot on the All-Southern Conference First Team (College Sports Madness, All-Southern Conference Second Team (Coaches Poll) and College Sports Madness SoCon Preseason Second Team.

Rounding out the Preseason First Team All-SoCon is Osterman. The outfielder batted a .342 in 25 games played and led the Mocs with a .553 slugging percentage. She blasted five homeruns and drove in 14 runs in 76 at-bats. The Florida native even got some air time as her diving catch in the SoCon Tournament Championship game became the No. 2 play on Sports Center's Top 10.

Representing the Mocs on the Preseason Second Team All-SoCon are Deason, Robles and Taylor.

Deason claimed a 14-7 record in the circle. Her 1.49 ERA ranked 21st in the nation and second in the SoCon (career high). The pitcher registered two solo shutouts along with four assisted. The junior also completed four saves for a team and career best.

Robles set the pace with a 21-game reached-base streak while tying for a team-lead with 14 multi-hit games. She totaled five multi-RBI games and batted .323 with 51 hits.

Completing the honors for Chattanooga is Taylor. The outfielder was tabbed to the 2014 SoCon Preseason First-Team and College Sports Madness SoCon Preseason First-Team. She went on to total 10 multi-hit games, and post 44 hits in 55 games started.

The Mocs will hit off the 2015 season on Feb. 6 as they take on George Washington and Evansville in the opening day of the Plainsman Invitational at Auburn, Ala.

Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes)    Points
1. Chattanooga (6) - 36 points
2. Mercer - 27 points
3. UNCG - 24 points
4. Samford (1) - 23 points
5. Furman - 19 points
6. Western Carolina - 11 points
7. ETSU - 7 points

Preseason Player of the Year
Lindsay Thomas, Catcher, UNCG

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Mollie Hanson, Samford

Preseason First-Team All-SoCon
P    Mollie Hanson, Samford
P    Katie Henderson, Chattanooga
C    Lindsay Thomas, UNCG
1B    Caroline Taylor, Mercer
2B    Dominque Madruga, UNCG
SS    Abby Adams, Samford
3B    Sarah Beth Roberts, Chattanooga
OF    Megan Dowdy, Samford
OF    Nicole Osterman, Chattanooga
OF    Taylor Miller, Mercer
DP    Elise Smith, Furman
UT    Nicole Thomas, UNCG

Preseason Second-Team All-SoCon
P    Taylor Deason, Chattanooga
P    Kirsten Stevens, Mercer
C    Anyssa Robles, Chattanooga
1B    Taylor Sigmon, Western Carolina
2B    Kaytlin Haney, Mercer
SS    Sieara Bishop, Furman
3B    Callie Brister, Samford
OF    Courtney Price, Western Carolina
OF    Sam Taylor, Chattanooga
OF    Andrea Abbatiello, Furman
DP    Shelby Scott, Samford
UT    Kara Salvo, Western Carolina