The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
01.31.2019 | Softball
The rankings are determined by Softball America staff and a select group of Division I head coaches
AUSTIN, Texas – The excitement continues to build for Texas softball heading into the 2019 campaign as the Longhorns have been rated at No. 9 in the inaugural preseason poll issued by Softball America, a new sister publication to long established Baseball America.
The rankings are determined by Softball America staff and a select group of Division I head coaches. This marks UT's first Top 10 rating in any poll since starting the 2014 season at No. 10 overall in the preseason editions of both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball polls.
The Burnt Orange & White trail defending national champion Florida State, which starts 2019 in the No. 1 spot, Washington, UCLA, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, Arizona and Tennessee in the preseason rankings.
UT is returning nine players from last season that earned time in at least 50 games (eight of those started at least 38 match-ups) and 13 total letter winners that combined to total 84% of the runs, 81% of the hits, 71% of the doubles, 80% of the HR's, 77% of the RBIs, 86% of the walks, 92% of the stolen bases and 42% of the team's pitching victories and strikeouts.
Included among those returnees are 2018 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Janae Jefferson (sophomore second baseman - .392 avg., 30 runs, 74 hits, 11 doubles, 11 stolen bases, 24 RBIs), and NFCA All-Central Region standouts Kaitlyn Washington (junior outfielder - .359 avg., 56 hits, 21 runs, 13 doubles, three HR's, 20 RBIs), Brooke Bolinger (senior pitcher – 13-7 record, 2.20 ERA, 19 starts, eight complete games, four shutouts, 117.2 IP, 123 K's) and Taylor Ellsworth (junior catcher – 59 starts, 38 hits, 14 extra-base hits, five HR's, 29 walks, 22 RBIs).
The Longhorns have also added standout Oregon transfers Miranda Elish (junior pitcher – 2018 NFCA All-American that went 25-2 last season from the circle), Lauren Burke (sophomore utility – 2018 Pac-12 All-Freshman after batting .351), Shannon Rhodes (junior outfielder – 2018 NFCA All-Pacific Region and career .342 hitter) and Mary Iakopo (sophomore catcher – 2018 Pac-12 Second Team and Top 25 finalist for NFCA National Freshman of the Year) for the upcoming 2019 campaign.
To purchase Texas softball season tickets today for as low as $59 or mini plans for as little as $18, call 512-471-3333 or order online at TexasSports.com.
2019 Softball America Poll
January 31 (Preseason)
|
1 |
Florida State |
58-12-0 |
|
2 |
Washington |
52-10-0 |
|
3 |
UCLA |
58-7-0 |
|
4 |
Oklahoma |
57-5-0 |
|
5 |
Florida |
56-11-0 |
|
6 |
Georgia |
48-13-0 |
|
7 |
Arizona |
43-16-0 |
|
8 |
Tennessee |
48-14-0 |
|
9 |
TEXAS |
33-26-0 |
|
10 |
Michigan |
44-13-0 |
|
11 |
South Carolina |
49-17-0 |
|
12 |
Alabama |
36-20-0 |
|
13 |
Louisiana |
41-16-0 |
|
14 |
Kentucky |
35-21-0 |
|
15 |
Arkansas |
42-17-0 |
|
16 |
LSU |
45-17-0 |
|
17 |
Wichita State |
32-23-0 |
|
18 |
Minnesota |
41-17-0 |
|
19 |
Arizona State |
48-13-0 |
|
20 |
JMU |
43-14-0 |
|
21 |
Auburn |
41-17-0 |
|
22 |
Liberty |
49-14-0 |
|
23 |
Houston |
37-22-0 |
|
24 |
Baylor |
38-18-0 |
|
25 |
Drake |
45-12-0 |
