Softball | 1/23/2017 12:36:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. - Sophomore pitcher Dixie Raley was named to the 2017 Preseason All-Conference team, the league announced Monday. Last season, Raley was named the 2016 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, as well as an All-Sun Belt first team selection for her performances on the mound.  

She finished her true freshman campaign with a 22-14 record, two saves and five shutouts in 43 appearances with 34 games started, complimenting a team-leading 3.33 ERA. In conference action, Raley went 9-7 in 19 appearances with 16 starts and a 3.03 ERA. She held batters to a .225 batting average for the year and held league foes to a .216 average. She pitched 202 total innings, the ninth-most by an Eagle pitcher in a single campaign, and struck out 182 batters, tied for fifth-most in a single season.

The Sun Belt Conference will conclude its preseason awards next Monday (Jan. 30) with the release of the predicted order of finish of the conference standings.
  
Georgia Southern begins the 2017 season with home tournament at Eagle Field which opens Feb. 10 and features games against Tennessee, UNCG, Middle Tennessee, and Tennessee Tech. For the Eagles full schedule, click here. 

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2017 Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
Ivie Drake (Georgia State, Junior, C)
Mandy Blackwell (Georgia State, Senior, 1B)
Haley Hayden (Louisiana, Senior, 2B)
Kaleigh Todd (South Alabama, Junior, 2B)
Sandra Mendoza (UT Arlington, Junior, 2B)
DJ Sanders (Louisiana, Junior, SS)
Corrina Liscano (Texas State, Senior, 3B)
Taty Forbes (Coastal Carolina, Sophomore, OF)
Aleah Craighton (Louisiana, Junior, OF)
Rochelle Roberts (ULM, Senior, OF)
Megan Litumbe (Georgia State, Redshirt Junior, DP)
Dixie Raley (Georgia Southern, Sophomore, P)
Alex Stewar t (Louisiana, Senior, P)
Devin Brown (South Alabama, Junior, P)
Randi Rupp (Texas State, Junior, P)
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Aleah Craighton (Louisiana, Junior, OF)
 
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Randi Rupp (Texas State, Junior)