BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Montevallo softball team was picked to finish eighth in the preseason Gulf South Conference coaches poll.
The Falcons garnered 71 total points in the poll.
In-state rival UAH was picked as the preseason favorite with 138 total points and seven first-place votes. Valdosta State was picked to finish second in conference standings with 132 total points and three first-place votes.
Junior shortstop
Haley Barnette, a National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-South region selection a year ago, was named to the Pre-season All-GSC team for 2019.
Barnette, a native of Northport, Alabama, finished with a .360 batting average and a team-leading seven home runs while also driving in a team-best 40 runs a year ago.
Redshirt freshman outfielder
Brooke Ingram and junior pitcher
Kristina Manthei, a transfer from Gulf Coast Community College, were highlighted by the conference as top newcomers for Montevallo.
Montevallo set a program record for single-season wins last year finishing with a 32-16 mark on the season, and a 19-13 record in the GSC. Montevallo finished seventh in the GSC standings last season.
