ATLANTA, Ga. (January 31, 2023) – Winners of seven Southern Athletic Association regular season titles, including last season, Berry was picked for the top spot in the 2023 SAA Softball Preseason Poll.
 
The Vikings totaled 47 points, including five first place votes, to edge second place Birmingham-Southern. The Panthers earned 44 points and the remaining two first place votes. The two schools have combined to win every SAA regular season title in league history. Millsaps came in third in the ranking with 34 points.
 
The poll was conducted among the conference’s seven head coaches.
 
2023 SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL RESULTS
1. Berry - 47 pts. (5)
2. Birmingham-Southern - 44 pts. (2)
3. Millsaps - 34 pts.
4. Hendrix - 25 pts.
5. Rhodes - 21 pts.
6. Centre - 16 pts.
7. Sewanee - 9 pts.
 
Berry is coming off a historic 2022 campaign that saw the Vikings win the SAA regular season title (15-3) and sweep their way to the SAA Tournament crown. The hot streak continued with championships at the NCAA DePauw Regional and in the Super Regional against Bethel. In the NCAA Championship bracket, Berry was among the last three teams standing before eventually falling to national runner-up Trine. All five of the Vikings’ 2022 All-SAA first teamers return, including Player of the Year Anna Jackson and Newcomer of the Year Katie White.
 
BSC posted a 32-8 record last season, going 13-3 in league play and advancing to the SAA Tournament Championship Series. The Panthers rattled off an 18-game winning streak before running into Berry in the season finale. SAA Pitcher of the Year Hailee Bryan headlines a trio of returning first team All-SAA members from a year ago, joining Izzy Berkopec and Jada Askew on the list.
 
Sewanee travels to LaGrange on Saturday, February 4 to official start the 2023 softball season. Interleague play begins on Saturday, February 25, all leading to the SAA Softball Championship Tournament. Pod play is slated for April 28-30 and a champion will be crowned in the final series, May 5-6.