SEC SPRING NEWS: Florida tabbed as preseason favorite; Bama baseball to hold Fan Day

STAFF REPORT

Florida has been picked to win the 2023 SEC softball crown, according to a vote by the league’s 13 head coaches in the annual preseason poll.

The Gators received five first-place votes and 134 points to lead the preseason poll. Tennessee garnered three first-place votes and 126 points to finish in second place. Arkansas, the defending SEC Champion, earned five first-place votes and 122 points to take third place.

Six-time SEC regular season champ Alabama tallied 118 points to place fourth.

It was also announced on Wednesday that pitcher Montana Fouts and outfielder Faith Hensley were selected to the USA Softball watch list for 2023.

LSU rounded out the top five with 87 points. Auburn was picked to finish ninth.

Points were compiled on a descending basis. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. 

SEC teams are slated to begin the 2023 softball season on Thursday, Feb. 9, with conference play set to begin on Friday, March 10.

Alabama opens on Feb. 10 with a doubleheader against Lehigh and Georgia Southern. Auburn will open the season on Clearwater, Fla in the NFCA Leadoff Classic against St. Johns on Feb. 10.

The 2023 SEC Softball Tournament is scheduled for May 9-13 at Bogle Park in Fayetteville, Ark.

Bama baseball to host Fan Day on Feb. 4

Alabama baseball will host the team’s 2023 Fan Day on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The day-long event will feature a Youth Clinic, autographs, and a tour of Sewell-Thomas Stadium prior to an intrasquad scrimmage (weather pending). An inflatable bounce house and slide, a face painter, Big Al and food trucks will also be on-site for those in attendance.

The morning begins with a Youth Clinic hosted by the Crimson Tide staff and players. The instructional session is open to children, 8-14 years old (non-high school aged), and is free to the first 100 kids to register online through https://www.alabamabaseballcamps.com/. Check-in for the clinic will begin at 9:45 a.m.CT with the instructional session running from 10-11 a.m.

Following the Youth Clinic, head coach Brad Bohannon will introduce the 2023 Crimson Tide roster. An autograph session and facility tour open to all attendees will also be a part of the 11 a.m.-12 p.m. window. The day will wrap up with a scrimmage at The Joe with first pitch set for 1 p.m.