Greensboro, N.C. (theACC.com) – Florida State has been voted the preseason favorite to win the 2023 ACC softball title by the league’s 13 head coaches, the conference announced on Thursday.
The Seminoles were chosen to top the league for the second year in a row, following their 18th ACC Championship last season. They received 10 first-place votes for a total of 140 points.
Virginia Tech earned two first-place votes and 131 points to finish second in the poll, followed by Clemson who collected 120 points and one first-place vote. Duke and Notre Dame rounded out the top five with 108 and 107 points, respectively.
Georgia Tech was tabbed sixth with 89 points, Louisville was picked seventh with 83 points and Virginia earned 71 points. Syracuse with 45 points and NC State with 43 points rounded out the top 10, while North Carolina (41), Boston College (27) and Pitt (19) closed out the poll.
Florida State leads the ACC with five representatives on the Preseason All-ACC team, Virginia Tech has four, Clemson has three, followed by Notre Dame with two and Georgia Tech with one.
All 15 members of the preseason squad were named to the 2022 All-ACC Softball team, including two season award winners: Notre Dame’s Karina Gaskins (Player of the Year) and Virginia Tech’s Emma Lemley (Freshman of the Year). Nine members were selected 2022 First-Team All-ACC, five were tabbed 2022 Second-Team All-ACC selections and one was named to the 2022 Third-Team All-ACC team.
The Preseason All-ACC Softball Team is voted on by the league’s head coaches and consists of a minimum of 14 players. Each ballot was comprised of five infielders, four outfielders, three pitchers, a catcher and either a designated player or utility player.
Four ACC softball teams are ranked among the top 15 of the D1Softball Preseason Poll, third-most among the conferences. Florida State leads the group at No. 4, followed by No. 9 Clemson, No. 13 Virginia Tech and No. 22 Duke.
Notre Dame will host the 2023 ACC Softball Championship from Wednesday, May 10 to Saturday, May 13 at Melissa Cook Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind.
The 2023 campaign begins Thursday, Feb. 9 with four of the league’s teams in action, while most ACC teams open the season on Friday, Feb. 10.
2023 ACC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
Florida State – 140 (10 First-Place Votes)
Clemson – 131 (2 First-Place…
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