SUWANEE, Ga. – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference softball coaches have once again selected Texas Lutheran as the favorite entering the 2023 season based on balloting in the annual preseason poll. Complete Release 

After setting a new program record for wins with 24 a season ago, the University of St. Thomas (24-15, 14-7) received the final first-place vote and finished third in this year's preseason poll with 50 points. The Celts return a pair of 2022 First Team All-SCAC performer led by SCAC Co-Newcomer-of-the-Year, sophomore third baseman Jaelyn Simmons. Simmons led the SCAC with seven home runs and finished third with a .400 batting average while knocking in the fourth most runs with 29 RBI. Addison Lehew, a sophomore designated hitter, joins Simmons as a returning First Team All-SCAC performer. Lehew elevated her play in SCAC action last season, finishing second in the league with 17 RBI in conference games and fourth with a pair of home runs in conference contests. Senior Kayleigh Deakle also returns for the Celts. Deakle ranks fourth in batting average among all returning players and is looking to help lead the Celts at the plate and in the outfield. 

"We have been competing at a high level the past two years. Being a newer Program and having the opportunity to set the tone for UST softball and athletics has been an outstanding accomplishment," Kayleigh Deakle said. "My teammates and I are ecstatic to finally be able to compete for a championship this year. This team is hard working and will do whatever it takes to be great. We're looking forward to having a break through and leaving a legacy behind for UST softball."

St. Thomas will enter 2023 under the guidance of Angela Froboese, the program's first-ever head coach, who produced back-to-back 20-win seasons in her first two seasons. Last year, Froboese was honored by her peers, earning SCAC Co-Coach of the Year along with TLU's Wilson. 

"I think it is really exciting times for UST softball. Our first year was during Covid so no one could compete for titles, so we didn't really miss out on much," Head Coach Angela Froboese added. "Last year we were able to play in the conference tournament which gave us a great idea of what championship play looks like. This squad will be ready."