Zias picked fifth in South poll

RICHARDSON, Texas — Angelo State is the favorite to win a third consecutive Lone Star Conference South Division softball title, according to a poll of LSC coaches and sports information directors plus various media representatives.

The Rambelles received 15 of 18 first-place votes and 123 points, while Abilene Christian came in second with 99 points.

Eastern New Mexico University finished in a tie for fifth in the poll with West Texas A&M, each collecting 43 points.

In the North Division, Southeastern Oklahoma earned 13 of 16 first-place votes and was chosen for the top spot with 108 points. Central Oklahoma got two first place votes and came in second with 90 points, while Midwestern State was third with one first-place vote and 86 points.

Infielder Macy Baker of Angelo State is the South’s preseason player of the year after batting .374 with 10 homers and 54 RBIs in 2008.

Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Courtney Rigamonti was the division’s preseason pitcher of the year. Rigamonti went 13-20 last season with a 2.91 earned run average and 28 complete games.

The North had co-preseason players of the year in Cameron’s Megan Young and Central Oklahoma’s Alley Roberts.

Young hit .351 last season, toping the league in RBIs (70) and total bases (142) while finishing second in home runs (18) and runs scored (67). Roberts his .375 for the Bronchos and led the team in most offensive categories en route to All-American honors.

Midwestern State’s Katie Peterson was the North’s preseason pitcher of the year. In 2008, she was 26-9 for the Mustangs with a 1.28 ERA and 203 strikeouts in 224 innings.

LSC SOFTBALL POLL

South Division

Team (1st-place votes)