January 22, 2003

LADY PALADINS PICKED 2nd IN SOUTHERN CONFERENCE SOFTBALL POLL

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- The Furman Lady Paladin softball team was picked to finish second in the upcoming 2003 Southern Conference race by the league's coaches on Wednesday. Defending champion Chattanooga was tabbed as preseason favorites to repeat as champions.

The Lady Paladins, 24-24 overall and 11-10 in the Southern Conference a year ago, reached the championship game of the 2002 Southern Confernece tournament after falling into the losers bracket. Chattanooga eliminated Furman in the title game 9-0.

Coach Bonnie Flynn, 2002 Co-Southern Conference Coach of the Year, returns 16 of 17 letter winners and all ten starters from last year's squad. The Lady Paladins will be led by sophomore pitcher Rachel Henley (14-11, 2.38 ERA in 2002) and 2002 All-SoCon selections Jessica Matthews (.338, 2, 23) and LaKerah Barr (.336, 2, 14).

Furman opens the 2003 campaign on February 15, when it hosts Villanova and Gardner-Webb in the Lady Paladin Invitational.

2003 Southern Conference Preseason Softball Poll

Chattanooga (6) 62
Furman 50
Georgia Southern (1) 47
UNC Greensboro (1) 44
Coll. of Charleston 34
East Tennessee St. 24
UNC Wilmington 15
Appalachian State 12