CLINTON, S.C. – Just over two weeks away from the opening act of the 2023 college softball campaign – a season that will see the Presbyterian College Blue Hose look to build on an outstanding record-setting path last spring – head coach David Williams' squad has been expectantly chosen in the upper echelon of the Big South by league officials, picked #2 on Wednesday afternoon behind 52 total points and a pair of first-place votes. Additionally, senior hurler Jenna Greene has been tabbed as the conference's preseason pitcher of the year following numerous program-firsts in 2022.

Returning a hefty amount of players from a group that achieved the school's highest win count of their 15-year NCAA Division I era (36) one year ago, PC's second-place arrangement in the preseason rankings trails only league-leader USC Upstate by three points, finding a four-point gap between the Blue Hose and third-place Campbell (48 pts). Altogether, four teams garnered at least one vote for the highest spot, bringing Longwood (45 pts.) around to the #4 entry.

Charleston Southern (5^th, 28 pts.), Winthrop (6^th, 26 pts.), Radford (7^th, 21 pts.), and Gardner-Webb (8^th, 13 pts.) close out the '23 preseason ballot, leaving the Blue Hose with an enticing opportunity to perhaps expand on a school-record 19-win Big South path last spring.

Five of the six PC players that landed all-conference recognition are back for more in Williams' fifth go-around with the university, anchored defensively by Greene's 2.05 ERA and .186 opposing batting average, numbers more than strong enough to land the fourth-year standout preseason pitcher of the year honors. Throughout the '22 slate, Greene emerged as the new PC single-season record-holder in both strikeouts (203) and shutouts (nine).

Starting 29 bouts while going the full distance in 15 of them, the incoming senior published 17 personal victories to her resume (the second-most of any Presbyterian pitcher over a single year). Ten of those W's occurred over Big South foes, including four separate league shutouts that led to a combined score of 24-0, retiring 40 batters in those meetings while never leaving the circle at any time.

Gathering nine different showings with double-digit K's last year, Greene conceded three hits or less 14 times while walking three or fewer against 22 separate opponents. She struck out 40 adversaries in her final five appearances as a junior, 12 of which came in the Big South Tournament where the Blue Hose reached the semifinal round.

As a collective unit, last season's Presbyterian core amassed a .297 BA, .363 on-base percentage, .466 slugging rate, 603 total bases, 47 home runs, 235 trips to home plate, 227 RBI, 384 hits, 70 doubles, 401 punchouts, and 15 shutouts, each of those sitting as the most ever accumulated by a PC squad.

The encore to that magnificent semester begins on Friday, February 10, kicking off a season-opening streak of 10 straight home meetings. The Blue Hose will welcome Toledo and Bellarmine on the campaign's first day for start times of 12:15 and 2:30, turning around to face Maryland Eastern Shore and the Knights once again the next day at 2:30 and 4:45 respectively.

Clinton will be a consistent backdrop for coach Williams' club through the bulk of nonconference territory, seeing 17 of their 26 home outings occur in their own backyard before league play even becomes a factor. Said conference schedule will commence on March 25 for a three-game set with Longwood at home.

The full list of preseason Big South rankings can be found below:
 
2023 Big South Softball Preseason Poll
1. USC Upstate (55 pts., 3 first-place votes)
2. Presbyterian (52 pts., 2 first-place votes)
3. Campbell (48 pts., 2 first-place votes)
4. Longwood (45 pts., 1 first-place vote)
5. Charleston Southern (28 pts.)
6. Winthrop (26 pts.)
7. Radford (21 pts.)
8. Gardner-Webb (13 pts.)
 
Preseason Player of the Year: Peyton Darnell (USC Upstate)
Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Jenna Greene (Presbyterian)