Feb. 1, 2010

Arlington, Texas -

2010 Southland Preseason Softball Polls

2010 Southland Preseason Softball Teams

The Southland Conference announced the 2010 softball preseason coaches' and sports information directors' poll where the Mavs were picked to finish sixth in both polls. Seniors Samantha Chumchal and Heather Fortenberry were selected as first team preseason favorites.

The Mavs return 12 letter winners, including five seniors. UT Arlington opens the 2010 season in San Marcos, Texas at the Texas State Tournament against Oklahoma State (Feb. 12).

The Mavericks earned 52 points in the coaches' poll and 57 in the SID poll. Defending SLC Champions Texas State recorded nine first-place votes from coaches and sports information directors.

Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State were the only other two teams to earn one first-place vote in both polls.

Chumchal along with Fortenberry were the only Mavericks to earn preseason honors. The senior catcher led the team with a .324 batting average where she connected on 33 hits, including four doubles and a team high nine homeruns.

Fortenberry is coming off season where she was named the 2010 SLC Utility Player of the Year and earned first team all-SLC honors. Recorded a .303 batting average with six home runs and made 20 appearances on the mound.

Players who earned first- and second-team all-conference honors following the 2009 season automatically receive preseason honors. Third-team postseason selections move into vacated positions on the first and second preseason teams. The remaining spots are voted on by the league's head coaches.