Three PBC Softball Teams Ranked in Preseason Top 25

STARKVILLE, MISS – Three Peach Belt Conference softball teams have been ranked among the top 25 in the nation in the preseason poll of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released this week. Francis Marion will begin 2009 where they left off in 2008, ranked #5 in the nation. North Georgia comes in at #11 and Georgia College & State University is #20. Armstrong Atlantic State also received votes in the poll.

The No. 5 position is the highest ranking for the Patriot program since the school moved to NCAA affiliation in 1992. In 2008, Francis Marion enjoyed its most successful season in 20 years posting a 39-16 record, the third-highest win total in team history. The Patriots earned their first-ever bid to the NCAA Division II national tournament, won the South Atlantic Regional, and advanced to the Division II national finals (Elite Eight) in Houston, Texas.

GCSU won the 2008 PBC Tournament and made their third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bobcats were 40-14 last year and ranked as high as #2 in the NFCA poll.

North Georgia was selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2009 conference championship by the league’s head coaches. The Saints move up one position after finishing 12th at the end of the 2008 season with a record of 35-18 and a trip to the NCAA South Atlantic Regional Championship game.

The NFCA poll will be released weekly beginning the first week of March.

You can see the poll here.