Stewart, Haeger Earn Spots on Preseason All-SEC Team
Thursday, February 5, 2015 | Softball
Birmingham, Ala. – Junior second baseman Kelsey Stewart and senior pitcher/first baseman Lauren Haeger represented Florida on the 2015 Preseason All-Southeastern Conference Team, announced Thursday by the league office. Both players also are on the Preseason Top 50 Watch List for the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
Stewart earned First Team All-America and All-SEC honors last season, and also was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team and the WCWS All-Tournament Team. A two-time member of the U.S. women's national team (2014-15), the Wichita, Kan., native established career highs last season for average (.438), runs scored (68), hits (102 – school record), doubles (14), home runs (seven) and RBI (57), while tying her 2013 total for steals (36 – school record). Stewart comes into her junior season within striking distance of UF's all-time records for triples (one away from the record of 17) and steals (11 behind the standard of 83).
A three-time First Team All-Southeast Region selection and a First Team All-American in 2013, Haeger set personal bests in 2014 for runs scored (43), hits (63), home runs (20) and stolen bases (six). In the circle, the Peoria, Ariz., native posted a career-low 1.79 ERA and held opponents to a .179 batting average, which ranked second in the conference. Haeger is closing in on several Florida career records as she enters her senior year, including home runs (13 away from the record of 65) and RBI (32 behind the mark of 221).
Florida begins its season on Friday at the USF Softball Classic in Tampa, and the home opener is scheduled for Feb. 13. League play opens on March 13, when the Gators will host LSU. The SEC Tournament is scheduled for May 6-9 in Baton Rouge, La. The Gators' complete 2015 schedule can be found on GatorZone.com.
2015 Preseason All-SEC Softball Team
| Name, School | Position | Cl. | Ht. | Hometown |
| Emily Carosone, Auburn | IF | Jr. | 5-4 | Orlando, Fla. |
| Kasey Cooper, Auburn | IF | So. | 5-4 | Dothan, Ala. |
| Kelsey Stewart, Florida | IF | Jr. | 5-6 | Wichita, Kan. |
| Alex Hugo, Georgia | IF | Jr. | 5-8 | Olathe, Kan. |
| Paige Wilson, Georgia | IF | Sr. | 5-7 | Chicago, Ill. |
| Bianka Bell, LSU | IF | Jr. | 5-5 | Tampa, Fla. |
| Haylie McCleney, Alabama | OF | Jr. | 5-5 | Morris, Ala. |
| Branndi Melero, Auburn | OF | Sr. | 5-4 | Canyon Country, Calif. |
| A.J. Andrews, LSU | OF | Sr. | 5-5 | Oldsmar, Fla. |
| Taylor Gadbois, Missouri | OF | Jr. | 5-10 | Maryville, Mo. |
| Chelsea Wilkinson, Georgia | P | Jr. | 5-8 | Taylorsville, N.C. |
| Kelsey Nunley, Kentucky | P | Jr. | 5-10 | Soddy Daisy, Tenn. |
| Tori Finucane, Missouri | P | So. | 5-7 | Germantown, Md. |
| Griffin Joiner, Kentucky | C | Sr. | 5-7 | Hopkinsville, Ky. |
| Annie Aldrete, Tennessee | C | So. | 5-6 | Monterey, Calif. |
| Lauren Haeger, Florida | DP/UT | Sr. | 5-11 | Peoria, Ariz. |
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