Golden Suns Softball Team Picked Seventh in GAC Preseason Poll

Courtesy Arkansas Tech University Athletics Department

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.—The start of the 2013 softball season begins next weekend for the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns softball team, who has been picked to tie for seventh in the Great American Conference preseason poll, announced Tuesday by the league office and selected by the eight head coaches. 

Arkansas Tech is picked to share seventh place in the 2013 preseason poll, along with Ouachita Baptist. Arkansas-Monticello is the league favorite with 43 points and four first-place votes, followed by Southeastern Oklahoma State with 39 and East Central with 35. 

Tech finished in seventh place last season with an overall record of 16-31 and a conference record of 8-18. The Golden Suns will be led by first-year coach Kristina McSweeney , who joins the Golden Suns program after coaching at Seminole State College for four seasons.

“We are excited about the upcoming season,” said McSweeney. “This could be a great building year and we have a lot of potential to make some good accomplishments. We have come a long way already but still need to focus on our philosophy and intensity throughout the season.”

The Golden Suns welcome back six starters from last season, including seniors Amy Kilpatrick, Cassady Hayworth, and Natalie Magie, as well as sophomores Victoria Huie, Ashton Long, and Sierra Gomez.

“Amy Kilpatrick is a senior who I can really see stepping up for our team this season after a great offseason performance,” said coach McSweeney. “Victoria Huie has added a few new pitches for improvement on the mound.”

Tech welcomes ten new players to the 2013 roster. “Newcomers Whitney Robinson and Nikki Nail should be huge impact players to make a difference right away,” added McSweeney.

The Golden Suns will open the 2013 softball season on Friday, February 8th at the Southeastern Shootout in Durant, Oklahoma against Northeastern State at 2 pm.

 

Tags: , , , ,