Mekhia Freeman Earns Sun Belt Preseason Softball Honors; Eagles Picked Seventh
2/8/2021 1:00:00 PM | Softball
Fifth-Year Senior Outfielder named to the preseason All-Conference team for the third time in her career
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern has been picked to finish seventh in a preseason poll of Sun Belt Conference coaches, announced today by league officials. Fifth-year senior Mekhia Freeman was named to the league's preseason All-Conference team as well.
The Eagles went 14-10 overall and 2-1 in the Sun Belt in 2020 before the cessation of the season due to COVID-19. Georgia Southern returns nine starters and 19 players overall from last season's squad for 2021.
This is the fourth straight season that Georgia Southern has been picked to finish seventh in the league's preseason poll. Louisiana is picked first, receiving all 10 first-place votes and 100 points total. Troy (87) was picked second, followed by Texas State (74). Coastal Carolina (68) and UTA (68) were tied for fourth, followed by App State (43) and the Eagles (38).
South Alabama (36), ULM (22) and Georgia State (16) round out the preseason poll.
The preseason All-Conference Team was also released on Monday and Freeman earns a spot on the 15-player team for the third time in her career. She was also named to the Preseason All-Conference team in 2018 and in 2020.
The Newnan, Ga., native hit .403 with four doubles, two triples, five home runs and 11 RBI in 24 games of action for the Eagles in 2021. She slugged a team-best .722 and also recorded a .511 on-base percentage. Freeman ranked among the Sun Belt's leaders in 10 separate offensive categories, leading the league in total bases (52) and runs scored (25).
View the complete 2021 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll and Team release here.
Georgia Southern opens up the 2021 season by hosting the Bash in the Boro tournament on Friday through Sunday, February 12-14. The Eagles will take on Western Kentucky at 5 p.m. on Friday in the first game of the tournament. View the complete tournament schedule here.
