RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's softball team was picked to finish third out of 12 teams in a preseason poll of league head coaches and sports information directors.  
 
The Colonels received 196 points with two first-place votes to grab the nod over fourth place Murray State (171 points) in the poll. Southeast Missouri State was preseason favorite to win the league with 236 points (16 first-place votes).
 
Jacksonville State edged the Colonels for second place receiving 221 points and six first-place votes.
 
Austin Peay (168), Belmont (138), SIUE (123), Tennessee Tech (95), UT Martin (92), Eastern Illinois (76), Tennessee State (43) and Morehead State (26) rounded out the poll.
 
EKU returns six of nine starters off last year's team that tied for third in the regular season. Juniors Sammi Miller and Zoe Mihalicz return ready to lead the offense for the Colonels. Eastern returns its top three pitchers off last year's staff with Mollie Paulick, Samantha Reynoso and Bethany Todd.
 
Eastern finished the year 42nd in the country in scoring and 52nd in batting average. Paulick finished the year third in the country in saves while Miller finished the year as the fourth toughest player to strikeout.
 
The Colonels hit the field for the first time when they travel to Macon, Georgia to take on the University of Tulsa Friday, Feb. 7 at 11:15 a.m.