The Florida Atlantic University softball team was picked to finish seventh in Conference USA in a preseason poll of the league’s head coaches.

The Owls finished the 2013 season with a 28-29 overall record and a 10-12 conference mark as members of the Sun Belt. FAU will have to overcome the loss of their top two pitchers from last season, All-Sun Belt selection Stephanie Call and Taylor Fawbush, who led the staff in wins, ERA and innings pitched. Junior outfielder Lindsey Shell, who led the team with a .316 batting average and was also a member of the All-Sun Belt team last season, will help fill the gap at the plate. Fellow juniors Samantha Messer and Paige Pender are expected to help pick up the slack in the circle.

The Owls open the 2014 season on Friday, Feb. 7at 6 p.m. when they play Northern Illinois and Louisville as part of the FAU Kick-Off Classic. Season, tournament, single game and group tickets can be purchased by contacting the FAU Ticket Office at 1-866-FAU-OWLS or logging on to FAUTix.com.  


2014 C-USA Preseason Poll

1. UAB (7)
2. Tulsa (5)
3. Marshall
4. East Carolina (1)
5. North Texas
6. FIU
7. Florida Atlantic
8. Louisiana Tech
9. UTSA
10. Charlotte
11. Southern Miss
12. UTEP
13. Middle Tennessee

(1st place votes)