AASU Softball Picked To Finish Fifth In PBC Preseason Poll

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State softball squad has been picked to finish fifth in 2010, according to a preseason poll of Peach Belt Conference coaches released today by league officials.

Defending PBC champion and College World Series participant North Georgia was a nearly unanimous selection to finish first in 2010, receiving nine of a possible 10 first-place votes and 99 points total. Francis Marion received one first place vote and 72 points total to be picked second, while Augusta State and GCSU each received 70 points, picked to finish third - although GCSU did receive a first-place vote.

AASU received 68 points in its pick to finish fifth, just ahead of USC Aiken, who received 67 points to be picked sixth. Columbus State (53), PBC newcomer Flagler (47), UNC Pembroke (29), Lander (18) and Georgia Southwestern (12) rounded out the preseason poll.

You can view the full poll with team-by-team preseason notes here: http://peachbelt.com/sports/sball/2009-10/news/20100120sbprepoll

The top eight teams will advance to the 2010 PBC Championships, to be held this season on April 16-18 in Florence, S.C.

The Pirates finished the 2009 season with a 27-23 overall record and a third-place PBC finish at 11-7. AASU opens up the 2010 season on Friday, February 5, at the Georgia Southwestern Invitational in Americus, Ga., facing NCAA Region participant Valdosta State at 2:00 p.m.