Govs top choice to win baseball title; Gamecocks tabbed for softball

The Ohio Valley Conference baseball coaches tabbed the tournament champion to win the league's title this year, while the softball coaches selected the regular-season champ to repeat.

The polls were released Thursday.

Austin Peay topped the poll of the OVC's 10 baseball coaches, claiming five first-place votes and a total of 77 points. Regular-season champion Jacksonville State was second in the poll with 76 points, including four first-place votes.

The Governors finished 38-24 last year and 16-11 in the OVC. They return five position players, including pitcher of the year Rowdy Hardy (11-6, 2.63 ERA).

Jackonsville State, which was 35-25 last year and 19-8 in the OVC, returns all 11 pitchers from a staff that led the league in ERA at 4.31.

Southeast Missouri State was tabbed for fifth place, just behind Eastern Kentucky and Murray State. The Redhawks were 24-32 last season.

The baseball season begins for OVC teams on Feb. 14 with conference play beginning March 25.

The Jacksonville State softball team, which won its first league title last season, received seven of 10 first-place votes from the league's coaches and totalled 79 points. Conference tournament champion Tennessee Tech took three first-place votes and had 70 points.

Southeast Missouri State was picked in the No. 6 spot -- six teams qualify for the conference tournament -- with 45 points. The Redhawks finished 27-28 last season and had the league's freshman of the year in Megan McDonald.

Jacksonville State was 42-16 last year and 22-4 in the OVC. The Gamecocks return player of the year Maigin Alexander and pitcher of the year Carly Kellam.

OVC softball teams step into action Feb. 10 with the first conference games March 18.