RICHARDSON, Texas -- Concordia University Texas' softball team has been picked to finish fifth in the American Southwest Conference West Division, as the league office announced its preseason poll on Thursday.  The Tornados, who finished fifth in the ASC East last season, return five letterwinners from last season's squad.

Hardin-Simmons, which won last season's ASC West Division crown, was tabbed as the ASC West preseason favorite.  East Texas Baptist, which won the ASC East last season, was also selected to repeat with nine first-place votes.

After finishing last season 20-20 overall and 11-13 in the ASC, Concordia is entering its fourth season under head coach Stan Warren. 

Notable returnees for Concordia include junior infielder #Jessica Rattan# (.340 BA/11 HR/36 RBI), who set a Concordia single-season record with 11 home runs last year, and sophomore utility player #Laura Vansickle# (.356 BA/4 HR/35 RBI), Concordia's leading hitter from a season ago.

In the West Division, Howard Payne, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Schreiner were picked to finish in front of Concordia, while Texas Lutheran and Sul Ross State were picked as the sixth and seventh place teams.  In the West Division, Texas-Tyler and Louisiana College rounded out the top three schools, while Mississippi College, LeTourneau, Texas-Dallas and Ozarks were selected fourth through seventh, respectively.

Concordia opens its 2010 season in two weeks when it hosts Southwestern University on Feb. 13 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock at 1 p.m.  The Tornados will also host the University of Dallas on Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. to complete the opening weekend.  Concordia will begin conference play by hosting Schreiner University on Mar. 12.

2010 American Southwest Conference Preseason Poll
West Division
Rk.  Team (first)                      Points
1.   Hardin-Simmons (17)       140
2.   Howard Payne (2)              111
3.   Mary Hardin-Baylor (1)      104
4.   Schreiner                             81
5.   Concordia Texas                78
6.   Texas Lutheran (1)             50
7.   Sul Ross State                    24

East Division
Rk.  Team (first)                     Points
1.   East Texas Baptist (9)    132
2.   Texas-Tyler (10)               126
3.   Louisiana College (2)     117
4.   Mississippi College         84
5.   LeTourneau                       53
6.   Texas-Dallas                     45
7.   Ozarks                                 31

2010 ASC Preseason Pitchers/Players of the Year
West Division
Player - Courtney Clark, SS, Sr., Hardin-Simmons
Pitcher - Kelsey Greeson, RHP, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor

East Division
Player - Whitney Wyly, OF, Jr., Texas-Tyler
Pitcher - Ayrika Henderson, RHP, Sr., East Texas Baptist