NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – The Thomas University softball team has been predicted to finish second in the league this season, according to the Preseason Sun Conference Coaches' Poll, as voted on by the league's nine head coaches.

For the third-straight year, the Southeastern Fire has been selected as the favorite to win the conference. The Fire received four of nine first-place votes and finished with 59 total points.

The defending TSC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Thomas Night Hawks finished second in the voting with a total of 54 points and four first-place votes. Led by First-Team All-American and TSC Pitcher of the Year Lauren West and TSC Coach of the Year Bill Wilson, Thomas earned a berth in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round and finished the year with a 39-16 (19-5 TSC) record.

Warner was selected third in this year's poll with 51 points and the remaining first-place vote went to USCB, who finished fourth in the voting with 48 points. Keiser (33), Ave Maria (26) and Webber International (23) were picked to finish fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.  Rounding out the poll were Coastal Georgia (20) and St. Thomas (10).

The 2019 Sun Conference Softball Championship is set for May 2-4 at the Legends Way Ballfields at PFX Athletics in Clermont, Fla., with the tournament champion earning the league's automatic bid to the NAIA Opening Round. 

The 38th Annual NAIA Softball World Series will take place May 23-29 in Springfield, Mo., with the opening rounds taking place May 13-15 on campus sites.

The 2019 NAIA Softball Preseason Coaches' poll will be released on Tuesday, January 15.

 
2019 Sun Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll [First Place Votes]
1) Southeastern – 59 [4]
2) Thomas – 54 [4]
3) Warner – 51 
4) USCB – 48 [1]
5) Keiser – 33
6) Ave Maria – 26
7) Webber International – 23
8) Coastal Georgia – 20
9) St. Thomas – 10