GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Florida State has been chosen as the 2018 Atlantic Coast Conference softball preseason favorite, as voted by the league’s 12 head coaches. The Seminoles, winners of the past four regular-season and tournament titles, received 121 points and 11 first-place votes.
 
North Carolina, the 2017 ACC Softball Tournament runner-up, received 105 points and one first-place vote. Notre Dame, a semifinalist in last year’s conference tournament, received 97 points. Louisville and Boston College round out the top five with 90 and 85 points, respectively.
 
Following Boston College were Syracuse (62), Virginia Tech (57), Virginia (43), Pitt (42), NC State (41), Georgia Tech (29) and Duke (20).
 
With the addition of Duke for the 2018 season, the ACC will split into the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions. Florida State, the preseason No. 6 team in the country, will be joined in the Atlantic Division by Boston College, Louisville, NC State, Notre Dame and Syracuse. The Coastal Division will include Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Pitt, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
 
2018 ACC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Florida State (11) – 121
2. North Carolina (1) – 105
3. Notre Dame – 97
4. Louisville – 90
5. Boston College – 85
6. Syracuse – 62
7. Virginia Tech – 57
8. Virginia – 43
9. Pitt – 42
10. NC State – 41
11. Georgia Tech – 29
12. Duke – 20
 
 
Atlantic Division
1. Florida State (11) - 121
2. Notre Dame- 97
3. Louisville - 90
4. Boston College - 85
5. Syracuse - 62
6. NC State - 41
 
Coastal Division
1. North Carolina (1) - 105
2. Virginia Tech - 57
3. Virginia - 43
4. Pitt - 42
5. Georgia Tech - 29
6. Duke - 20