USF Selected as Preseason Favorite by Conference Coaches

Following an American Athletic Conference regular season championship in 2019, USF was picked to finish first by the conference coaches in the 2019 preseason poll, the league announced Wednesday.USF received a total of 45 votes with four first place votes to clinch the top spot in the poll. USF will return to the diamond after the program's 14trip to the NCAA tournament in 2018 with the reigning American Athletic Conference co-Pitcher and Rookie of the year. USF also boasts The American coaching staff of the year, head coachand assistant coachesand, who will continue to lead the program in 2019.Wichita State and Houston check in with the second and third spots in the poll. The Shockers earned three first place votes for a total of 43 points, and the Cougars had 41 points with one first place vote. Tulsa ranks fourth in the poll after winning its third-consecutive American Athletic Conference Championship last May.The 2019 softball season begins Thursday, Feb. 7 while conference play starts Friday, Mar. 22, at home for USF. The 2019 American Softball Championship will take place May 9-11 at Cougar Softball Stadium in Houston, Texas.Be sure to follow USF softball on social media ( Twitter Instagram ) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. The USF softball program has been one of the most successful on campus, making 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women's College World Series in 2012.