BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A poll of the Southeastern Conference coaches revealed the Florida Gators are the preseason favorites to win the 2009 SEC Softball title, the conference announced Tuesday. The Gators are coming off an NCAA single-season record, 70 wins, their second SEC title and first SEC tournament championship in school history. Florida was one of two SEC teams that advanced to the semifinal round of the Women’s College World Series. The Gators finished the season ranked No. 3 in both the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll. Florida claimed the top spot in the Eastern Division with 10 points, followed by the Tennessee Lady Vols with 19 points. The Georgia Bulldogs landed the No. 3 spot in the East with 30 points while South Carolina was picked fourth with 36 points, and Kentucky was fifth with 45 points. In the Western Division, the Crimson Tide of Alabama were voted to claim the title with 10 points, in addition to receiving one vote for the overall SEC Championship. Alabama is coming off its best season in school history as well, after finishing 58-8 overall and advancing to the semifinal round of the Women’s College World Series. The defending Western Division champions posted their best SEC record in school history as they went 25-3. The LSU Tigers were picked to finish second in the division with 21 points, followed by the Mississippi State Bulldogs with 30 points. Predicted to finish fourth in the West are the Auburn Tigers with 35 points. Rounding out the division, the Arkansas Razorbacks are picked fifth with 49 points and the Ole Miss Rebels sixth with 50 points. Points for the poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5 basis for the Eastern Division and on a 1-2-3-4-5-6 basis for the Western Division. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.The league will begin softball action Feb. 5-8. The 2009 SEC Softball Tournament will be held May 7-9 at Sherri Parker Lee Softball Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Conference Champion: Florida (10), Alabama (1)Eastern Division:1. Florida (10 points)2. Tennessee (19 points)3. Georgia (30 points)4. South Carolina (36 points)5. Kentucky (45 points)Western Division:1. Alabama (10 points)2. LSU (21 points)3. Mississippi State (30 points)4. Auburn (35 points)5. Arkansas (49 points)6. Ole Miss (50 points)