GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – Florida State has been voted the preseason favorite to win the 2022 ACC softball title by the league’s 13 head coaches, the conference announced on Wednesday.
The Seminoles, who advanced to their 11th NCAA Women’s College World Series last season and played for the national championship, received eight first-place votes and tallied 137 points.
Clemson collected two first-place votes and 128 points to finish second in the voting, while Virginia Tech earned 126 points with two first-place votes to occupy third. Duke was fourth with 119 points and the remaining first-place vote, while Notre Dame rounded out the top five with 99 points.
Louisville was picked sixth with 86 points, while Georgia Tech was tabbed seventh (72). North Carolina and NC State were eighth and ninth, respectively, with 63 and 57 points. Virginia (36), Pitt (35), Syracuse (29) and Boston College (27) rounded out the poll.
Virginia Tech leads the league with four representatives on the Preseason All-ACC team, while Clemson, Duke, Florida State and Georgia Tech each have two selections. Louisville and Notre Dame have one selection apiece.
All 14 members of the preseason squad were named to the 2021 All-ACC Softball team, including three season award winners: Clemson’s Valerie Cagle (Player & Freshman of the Year), Florida State’s Sydney Sherrill (Defensive Player of the Year) and Virginia Tech’s Keely Rochard (Pitcher of the Year). Ten members were named 2021 First-Team All-ACC and four were tabbed 2021 Second-Team All-ACC selections.
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, tied for the most of any conference. Florida State leads the group at No. 6, followed by No. 11 Virginia Tech, No. 13 Duke and No. 14 Clemson.
Pitt will host the 2022 ACC Softball Championship from Wednesday, May 11 to Saturday, May 14 at Vartabedian Field.
The 2022 campaign begins Thursday, Feb. 10 with three of the league’s teams in action, while most ACC teams open the season on Friday, Feb. 11.
2022 ACC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
Florida State - 137 (8 First-Place Votes)
Clemson - 128 (2 First-Place Votes)
Virginia Tech - 126 (2 First-Place Votes)
Duke - 119 (1 First-Place Vote)
Notre Dame - 99
Louisville - 86
Georgia Tech - 72
North Carolina - 63
NC State - 57
Virginia - 36
Pitt - 35
Syracuse - 29
Boston College - 27
2022 Softball Preseason All-ACC Team
Valerie Cagle, Clemson, R-So., P
McKenzie Clark, Clemson, So., OF
Deja Davis, Duke, Sr., UTL
Jameson Kavel, Duke, Gr., INF
Kathryn Sandercock, Florida State, Sr., P
Sydney Sherrill, Florida State, Gr., INF
Tricia Awald, Georgia Tech, Gr., INF
Emma Kauf, Georgia Tech, Jr., C
Carmyn Greenwood, Louisville, Gr., OF
Abby Sweet, Notre Dame, Gr., OF
Kelsey Bennett, Virginia Tech, Jr., INF
Kelsey Brown, Virginia Tech, Jr., OF
Cameron Fagan, Virginia Tech, So., INF
Keely Rochard, Virginia Tech, Sr., P