Softball Opens at No. 3 in ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll
Tuesday, January 28, 2014 | Softball
The Gator softball team will start the 2014 season ranked third in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Preseason Poll, announced Tuesday by the Amateur Softball Association and USA Softball. Florida received six first-place votes, tied with No. 1 Tennessee for the most in the survey.
Florida now boasts top-five preseason rankings in two national polls, following its No. 4 ranking in last week's USA Today/NFCA poll. The Gators also were picked to win the SEC title on Monday (Jan. 27) by the league's coaches.
The Gators have been ranked in seven of nine preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball polls since Head Coach Tim Walton arrived in 2006. This is the fourth time the Orange and Blue has earned a top-five preseason position, following two No. 5 rankings (2010, 2011) and a No. 1 spot (2009).
Florida is scheduled to play nine teams who are ranked in the poll, including No. 1 Tennessee, No. 4 Michigan, No. 6 Alabama, No. 8 Oregon, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 Florida State, No. 17 Missouri, No. 19 LSU and No. 23 USF. Gator opponents Hawaii, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Auburn and Minnesota are receiving votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.
The Gators' season begins next Thursday (Feb. 6), when they will face USF in Tampa before playing five games in the Wilson-DeMarini Invitational. This tournament features games against Michigan and Wisconsin. Florida's 2014 schedule is available on GatorZone.com.
Be sure to follow the Gators on Twitter and visit the team on Facebook for all the latest on Florida softball.
Click here to view the complete ESPN.com/USA Softball Preseason Top 25.
