SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team was selected to finish second in the Southern Conference in a vote by the league's coaches on Tuesday. Seniors pitcher Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) and outfielder Lyndsey Stiles (Hixson, Tenn.) were named to the preseason All-SoCon First Team, while senior third baseman Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.), junior first baseman Michelle Fuzzard (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and sophomore utility Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) were picked to the second team.

This year, the pressure of preseason favorite falls on Elon, the defending SoCon Tournament champions and representative in the NCAA Regionals, who edged out the Lady Mocs by two votes, 61 to 59. The Phoenix also led in first place votes by a narrow 5-to-4 margin. Georgia Southern, UNG and Appalachian State round out the top five, while College of Charleston, Furman, Samford and Western Carolina complete the poll.

This is the first time since 2007 that the Lady Mocs were not picked to win the SoCon as they were slotted second without a first place vote. Chattanooga ended up finishing that campaign with a SoCon Regular Season title at 16-5 and a 35-31 overall mark.

Earning preseason All-SoCon First Team honors was Irwin, who was a relief specialist last year totaling an NCAA-best 11 saves and 11-2 record. The Knoxville, Tenn., native struckout 95 batters in 90.2 innings pitched, while leading the SoCon with a 1.47 ERA to earn a spot on the SoCon Second Team.

Stiles, a three-time All-SoCon performer, is a dynamic leadoff hitter for the Lady Mocs from the left side and paced the team with a .342 average. The Hixson, Tenn., native tallied 64 hits last year along with a .418 on-base pct. and 24 stolen bases.

At the hot corner, Baker has been a versatile player for Chattanooga transitioning from second base last year and earning first team honors. She has a tremendous eye at the plate and is the UTC all-time home run leader with 32, while hitting at a career .306 average. The East Ridge, Tenn., native also drew 40 walks a year ago.

Fuzzard was another second team honoree at first base and is a dual threat for the Lady Mocs in the circle. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native is poised for a breakout season after a knee injury sidelined her last year after 15 games. As a hitter, Fuzzard carries a .342 average with 13 homers and 79 RBI in just over two seasons. She has been reliable in the circle logging 166 innings and 145 strikeouts along with 14 victories.

Ceasing an opportunity last spring was Tydingco, who helped the Lady Mocs not miss a beat at first base. The Fairfield, Calif., native was selected to the all-freshman team totaling 24 hits and 11 RBI, while drawing 14 walks bumping her on-base pct. to .336. She was also stellar defensively compiling a .979 fielding pct. and 271 putouts.

Georgia Southern swept the preseason individual awards with utility Megan Smith earning SoCon Player of the year, while Brianna Streetmon taking pitcher of the year honors.

The Lady Mocs open the season on Friday with a doubleheader against Georgia Tech and Florida Atlantic beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Clermont, Fla., at Dot Richardson's National Collegiate Invitational. Chattanooga battles the Yellow Jackets and Owls again on Saturday before playing Fordham on Sunday.

The home slate for Chattanooga starts with the annual Frost Classic on Feb. 25 against Toledo and East Tennessee State with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. IUPUI, Northern Iowa, Northwestern State, UT Martin and Tennessee Tech are also welcomed to the Scenic City for the three-day event.

Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. Elon (5) 61
2. Chattanooga (4) 59
3. Georgia Southern 46
4. UNCG 39
5. Appalachian State 33
6. College of Charleston 32
7. Furman 24
8. Samford 21
9. Western Carolina 9

Preseason Player of the Year
Megen Smith, Utility, Georgia Southern

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern

Preseason First-Team All-Conference
P Kandice Irwin, Chattanooga
P Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern
C Kaitlyn Piazzolla, Elon
1B Alex Emeterio, UNCG
2B Jackie Gonzalez, Elon
SS Kaitlin Merkt, UNCG
3B Katie Boyd, Appalachian State
OF Emerald Graham, Elon
OF Lyndsey Stiles, Chattanooga
OF Tomeka Watson, Elon
DP Eileen Horsmon, UNCG
UT Megen Smith, Georgia Southern

Preseason Second-Team All-Conference
P Erin O'Shea, Elon
P Caitlin Wainright, Appalachian State
C Michelle Lighton, Appalachian State
1B Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga
2B McKenzie Phillips, Appalachian State
SS Danielle Lafferty, Elon
3B Tiffany Baker, Chattanooga
OF Stephanie Field, Furman
OF Katie Michaels, Furman
OF Sarah Rappe, Appalachian State
DP Erin O'Shea, Elon
UT Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga