FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas softball team was tabbed sixth in the SEC preseason softball coaches poll, the conference office announced Thursday.
It’s the program’s second-highest preseason ranking since the elimination of divisions prior to the 2014 season. Arkansas was picked fifth in 2019. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
The Razorbacks return all but one starter from last year’s team which finished the shortened season 19-6 and ranked No. 19 in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll.
Arkansas earned preseason rankings in two national polls. The Razorbacks are No. 18 in the coaches poll, which came out earlier this week. They were also No. 21 in the ESPN/USA poll.
The Razorbacks begin their season at the Best on the Bayou Classic in Monroe, La., where they play five games, including a matchup against No. 11 Oklahoma State. Every inning pitched and all but one starter returns from last year’s team, which finished the shortened season 19-6 (1-2 SEC) and ranked No. 19.
SEC softball preseason coaches’ poll
Place, School (First-Place Votes), Total Points
1 Alabama (9), 138
2 LSU (2), 129
3 Florida (1), 125
4 Tennessee (1), 101
5 Kentucky, 97
6 Arkansas, 81
7 Georgia, 78
8 Missouri, 70
9 South Carolina, 68
10 Mississippi State, 43
11 Auburn, 39
12 Texas A&M, 30
13 Ole Miss, 15