KIAC Announces Preseason Softball Poll

BEREA, Ky. – Asbury softball has been picked to finish fifth in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference as voted on by league coaches.  The Eagles haven’t finished worse than third in any of their four seasons since the program was reinstated for the 2009 season.  Indiana Southeast was picked to win the league.

The Eagles will be a vastly different team in 2013 after a coaching change and the loss of seven seniors who were part of the inaugural class in 2009.  Asbury advanced to the KIAC Tournament championship for the third time in four years last year but enter this year with eight of 17 players in their first year with the team.

Indiana Southeast has claimed the last four KIAC regular season titles and two tournament championships.  The Grenadiers, also breaking in a new coach this season, were picked atop the eight team conference with four first-place votes and 59 points.  Following IUS are the two newcomers to the league in Point Park and Carlow.  The two Pittsburgh schools were separated by just one point as PPU took second with 45 points and one first-place vote and Carlow had 44 points and two first-place votes.  Brescia finished narrowly behind Carlow with 43 points and one first-place vote.

Berea was picked sixth with 28 points, followed by Midway with 23 points.  Alice Lloyd rounds out the field with nine points.

Asbury will start their season on February 19 at No. 15 Lindsey Wilson.  The Eagles home opener will be on February 26 against Cumberlands (Ky.).  Asbury will host the KIAC Tournament May 3-4 in Danville.