The Sun Belt Conference released its 2010 Sun Belt Preseason Softball Poll and All-Sun Belt Team Tuesday, with Louisiana-Lafayette receiving eight first-place votes by the league's nine head coaches.


The Ragin' Cajuns received 80 total points, followed by second-place Troy with 70. FIU came in third (58), followed by FAU (50), North Texas (41), WKU (39), South Alabama (36), Louisiana-Monroe (19), and Middle Tennessee (12).

FAU's senior shortstop Blair Bodenmiller along with Louisiana-Monroe junior outfielder Brianna Love were named Co-Preseason Players of the Year as well to the Preseason All-Conference Team.

Bodenmiller was named first-team All-Sun Belt in 2009 and made Sun Belt All-Tournament team. She hit .438 in five tournament games in helping the Owls get to the championship game. She also ranks in the top ten in FAU history in HR's, stolen bases and defensive assists.


Preseason All-Conference Team

Donna Bourgeois (Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr., P)
Ashlyn Williams (Troy, Jr., P)
Lana Bowers (Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr., C)
Mallory Cantler (North Texas, Jr., 1B)
Kelsey McCauley (WKU, Sr., 2B)
Melissa Verde (Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr., 3B)
Blair Bodenmiller (Florida Atlantic, Sr., SS)
Vallie Gaspard (Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr., OF)
Brianna Love (Louisiana-Monroe, Jr., OF)
Mariza Martinez (North Texas, Jr., OF)
Gabriele Bridges (Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr., DP)

Preseason Co-Players of the Year

Blair Bodenmiller (Florida Atlantic, Sr., SS)
Brianna Love (Louisiana-Monroe, Jr., OF)

Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Donna Bourgeois (Louisiana-Lafayette, Jr.)

Preseason Poll [First Place Votes]

1. Louisiana-Lafayette-80 [8]
2. Troy-70 [1]
3. FIU- 58
4. Florida Atlantic- 50
5. North Texas- 41
6. WKU-39
7. South Alabama- 36
8. Louisiana-Monroe-19
9. Middle Tennessee- 12

Source: Sun belt Media Relations