Jan. 29, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky softball team was chosen to finish fourth in the Eastern Division by the Southeastern Conference coaches in a poll released on Tuesday. South Carolina was chosen to win the Eastern Division while LSU was a unanimous choice to win the Western Division and the overall conference crown.

South Carolina paced the Eastern Division vote tally with 53 points and all but two first-place votes. Florida was second with 42 points and received two first-place votes. Georgia finished third with 31 total points, followed by the Cats with 22 points and Tennessee with 17.

Kentucky begins its sixth season of softball this year under the direction of Coach Beth Kirchner. The Wildcats finished last season 27-34 overall, 10-18 SEC and were the third-place team in the Eastern Division.

“We are excited to get outside and play our first game of the 2002 season,” Kirchner said. “We have a very experienced and deep team and we have some of the best talent we have ever had.”

UK will open up play on Friday, Feb. 1, in Miami, Fla., at the Fun In the Sun Classic. The Cats will play Georgia at noon followed by Illinois State at 2:30 p.m. ET. Host Florida International will play ISU at 5:30 p.m. ET and UGA at 7:30 p.m. ET.

2002 SEC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)

SEC CHAMPION: LSU (11)

EASTERN DIVISION WESTERN DIVISION Points Points1. South Carolina (9)531. LSU662. Florida (2)422. Alabama523. Georgia313. Arkansas394. Kentucky224. Mississippi State355. Tennessee175. Auburn 27 6. Ole Miss13

-UK-