Jan. 30, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. – After the most historic postseason run in school history, which saw the No. 13/18 University of Kentucky softball team host an NCAA Super Regional, the Wildcats were chosen by league coaches to finish third in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division the conference office announced Monday.

The Wildcats received 32 points in the voting system, which were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5 basis, with coaches not allowed to vote for their own team.

UK was picked to finish behind No. 2/4 Florida and No. 9/14 Tennessee in the East. The Gators were picked to win the league receiving six first-place votes, with the Lady Vols racking up five.

Picked to finish behind Kentucky in the East was No. 10/12 Georgia and South Carolina.

The third-place finish would be the highest-ever finish for Kentucky under fifth-year head coach Rachel Lawson. The Wildcats have finished fourth in the East the past three years, as well as sixth overall in the conference.

No. 2/3 Alabama was picked to win the Western Division, followed by No. 20/22 LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Kentucky kicks off its season on Feb. 9 in Los Angeles, traveling to compete in the Stacy Winsbury Memorial Tournament vs. UCLA at 9:00 p.m. ET.

For continuing coverage of UK softball, log on to UKathletics.com.

Conference Champion: Florida (6), Tennessee (5)

Eastern Division:

1. Florida (14 points)
2. Tennessee (15 points)
3. Kentucky (32 points)
4. Georgia (35 points)
5. South Carolina (48 points)

Western Division:

1. Alabama (10 points)
2. LSU (19 points)
3. Auburn (28 points)
4. Mississippi State (40 points)
5. Arkansas (46 points)
6. Ole Miss (54 points)