Three Softball Players Named Preseason All-SEC
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 | Softball
The Southeastern Conference announced the first-ever SEC softball coaches preseason all-conference team on Wednesday. The Gators had two players named to the first team and one to the second team.
Junior Kim Waleszonia (Fontana, Calif.) was one of only two players to be a unanimous decision. Waleszonia was Florida's leading hitter in 2007, playing second base and earned All-America honors from both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association/Louisville Slugger and Easton. Waleszonia is the first position player in Florida history to earn All-America honors. This season she is anchoring the Gator outfield in center.
Junior pitcher Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif.) was selected as one of two first team pitchers. In 2007, Nelson set several school records on the way to earning All-America honors from Easton and NFCA/Louisville Slugger. She is Florida's first returning All-America pitcher. She led the Gators through the post-season, including its first trip to the SEC Tournament Championship game since 1997.
Mary Ratliff (Mt. Sterling, Ky.), Florida's lone senior was named one of four second-team outfielders. Ratliff worked her way into the starting lineup last season and finished as the team's fourth leading hitter. She was one of only two Gators to finish the 2007 season with a perfect fielding percentage.
Each SEC head softball coach voted for four infielders, four outfielders, two pitchers, one catcher and a designated player/utility. Alabama led the league with six selections. LSU had four, followed by Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi State each with three. A complete list of the 2008 SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC teams follow.
Preseason All-SEC First Team Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown
Charlotte Morgan, Alabama IF 5-10 So. Moreno Valley, Calif.
Lauren Parker, Alabama IF 5-4 Jr. Port Neches, Texas
Courtney Bures, Mississippi State IF 5-5 Sr. Haymarket, Va.
Tonya Callahan, Tennessee IF 5-8 Sr. Holden, Mo.
Brittany Rogers, Alabama# OF 5-6 Jr. Dacula, Ga.
Kim Waleszonia, Florida# OF 5-4 Jr. Fontana, Calif.
Jazz Jackson, LSU OF 5-4 So. Houston, Texas
Rachel Mitchell, LSU OF 5-3 So. LaPorte, Texas
Stacey Nelson, Florida P 5-10 Jr. Los Alamitos, Calif.
Dani Hofer, LSU P 5-11 Jr. Safety Harbor, Fla.
Chelsea Bramlett, Mississippi State C 5-8 So. Cordova, Tenn.
Jordan Praytor, Alabama DP/UT 5-5 Sr. Vancouver, Wa.
Preseason All-SEC Second Team
Kelly Montalvo, Alabama IF 5-0 Jr. Miami, Fla.
Natalie Smith, Kentucky IF 5-5 So. Glendale, Ariz.
Lauren Grill, Ole Miss IF 5-6 So. Tualatin, Ore.
Tiffany Huff, Tennessee IF 5-7 So. Saugus, Calif.
Jessica Bachkora, Arkansas OF 5-8 So. Overland Park, Ks.
Mary Ratliff, Florida OF 5-8 Sr. Mt. Sterling, Ky.
Hayle Guess, Mississippi State OF 5-8 Sr. Moss Point, Miss.
Jessica Josker, South Carolina OF 5-6 Sr. San Jacinto, Calif.
Chrissy Owens, Alabama P 6-0 Sr. Miami, Fla.
Anna Thompson, Auburn P 5-10 So. Huntsville, Ala.
Killian Roessner, LSU C 5-7 Sr. Manasquan, N.J.
Shannon Doepking, Tennessee C 5-7 Sr. Acton, Calif.
Dani Woods, Alabama UT/DP 5-5 Sr. Cockeysville, Md.
#-Unanimous Selection; Ties were not broken
