Taylor Rogers Named to Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Softball Team

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Junior outfielder Taylor Rogers has been named to the 2016 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Softball Team as announced by the conference office Tuesday afternoon. Rogers earned an at-large nod after being named to the 2015 All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team a season ago.

Last year, Rogers led Georgia Southern at the plate with a .345 batting average that included a team-high 49 hits. She had one double on the season and drove in eight runs. The Dacula, Ga. native stole four bases and scored a team second-best 23 runs in her 39 games.

As a freshman in 2014, Rogers earned SoCon Freshman of the Year honors, was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team and was an All-SoCon First Team selection. That year, she also led the Eagles at the plate with a .381 batting average and a .405 on base percentage from the leadoff position. Her .381 batting average was good enough for fifth all-time in Georgia Southern softball history. She played 39 games with 37 starts and scored 25 runs while collecting 48 hits. That season, she stole 16 bases.

Rogers is one of nine returning letterwinners from last year's squad for fifth-year head coach Annie Smith, including six returning field starters and two starting pitchers. The Eagles' season begins Feb. 11-13 when Georgia Southern travels to the Bulldog Kickoff Classic where the Eagles will take on Mississippi State on opening day. Georgia Southern's home opener will be on Tuesday, Feb. 23 when the Eagles host Kennesaw State for a 6 p.m. game.

2016 Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team
Pitchers
Devin Brown, South Alabama, Sophomore
Randi Rupp, Texas State, Sophomore
Outfield
Stephanie Pilkington, South Alabama, Senior
Shellie Landry, UL Lafayette, Senior
Rochelle Roberts, UL Monroe, Junior
Catcher
Lexie Elkins, UL Lafayette, Senior
First Base
Kelsey Vincent, UL Lafayette, Senior
Second Base
Haley Hayden, UL Lafayette, Junior
Shortstop
DJ Sanders, UL Lafayette, Sophomore
Third Base
Emily Messer, South Alabama, Senior
Designated Player
Mya Anderson, UT Arlington, Senior
At-Large Players
Ivie Drake, Georgia State, Catcher, Sophomore
Kendall Wiley, Texas State, First Base, Senior
Taylor Anderson, Georgia State, Shortstop, Senior
Taylor Rogers, Georgia Southern, Outfield, Junior

Preseason Student-Athlete of the Year
Lexie Elkins, UL Lafayette, Catcher, Senior

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Randi Rupp, Texas State, Pitcher, Sophomore

2016 Sun Belt Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1. UL Lafayette (8) - 98 pts
2. South Alabama (1) - 90 pts
3. Georgia State - 74 pts
4. Texas State - 71 pts
5. Troy - 66 pts
6. UL Monroe - 56 pts
7. UT Arlington - 46 pts
8. Georgia Southern - 38 pts
9. Appalachian State - 28 pts

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Taylor Rogers