RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The SWOSU softball team has been slated to finish 11
th in the Great American Conference. GAC offices announced the preseason poll, voted on by the 12 conference head coaches, on Tuesday.
Southern Arkansas was selected as the preseason favorite to win the GAC title, with 116 total points and seven first-place votes. Harding was close behind with 108 total points and two first-place votes. Defending champions Arkansas Tech also received two first-place votes.
SWOSU is coming off of a year that saw them go 12-30 overall and 11-22 in conference. They did go 9-9 at the SWOSU Athletic Complex in 18 games there.
SWOSU softball is entering a new era. Jessica Boone comes into 2023 as a first-year head coach. With some key contributors graduated and 13 new faces on the roster, she will look to mold the program into her own in year one. She will attempt to lead the Bulldogs back to the GAC Tournament for the first time since 2019.
SWOSU opens up their season on February 4
th at the Lubbock Christian Tournament. The first chance to watch them at home will be a doubleheader against Fort Hays State on February 16
th.
2023 GAC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll
| Place |
School |
Total |
First |
| 1st |
Southern Arkansas |
116 |
7 |
| 2nd |
Harding |
108 |
2 |
| 3rd |
Arkansas Tech |
94 |
2 |
| 4th |
Oklahoma Baptist |
93 |
|
| 5th |
Southern Nazarene |
89 |
1 |
| 6th |
Southeastern |
74 |
|
| 7th |
Arkansas-Monticello |
55 |
|
| 8th |
Ouachita Baptist |
47 |
|
| 9th |
East Central |
40 |
|
| 10th |
Henderson State |
33 |
|
| 11th |
SWOSU |
28 |
|
| 12th |
Northwestern |
15 |
|
