Tops Picked Second in CUSA; Three Named Preseason All-Conference

DALLAS, Texas – Ahead of opening weekend for the 2024 campaign, Conference USA has announced Thursday its Preseason Coaches Poll, All-Conference team and superlatives award winners. The Hilltoppers were predicted to finish second with a first-place vote in the nine-team league while TJ Webster, Taylor Sanders, and Katie Gardner were all named to the Preseason All-Conference squad.

 

Webster completed the 2023 season with a .338/.417/.393 hitting line, with the .338 batting average marking the third-best for the 2023 squad. The Huntsville native picked up 17 stolen bases and recorded her first career home run: an inside-the-park shot against Charlotte (4/2/23). She was named CUSA First Team All-Conference and continues to hold the longest active career starts streak in program history – never missing a game at shortstop – with 177 consecutive.

 

While a season cut short in 2023 due to injury, Sanders made an impact in the box leading the Tops with 39 RBIs and nine home runs – including three multi-home run games. She slashed .344/.471/.688 last season while being a two-time CUSA Offensive Player of the Week. Sanders currently leads the program in career slugging percentage (.637) and ranked in the top five in on-base percentage (.402) through four years in the Red and White.

 

In the circle, right-hander Gardner led Conference USA last season in strikeouts, producing 189 strikeouts operating with a 4.02 ERA to lead the WKU bullpen. Tossing 17 complete games in 2023, the Bowling Green native racked up three complete-game and three combined shutouts with her 16 wins from the year. Gardner owned a combined 46 scoreless innings from the season and pitched three 10-strikeout games from her senior campaign.

 

Voted by the league’s head coaches, newcomer Liberty was predicted to finish ahead of the Hilltoppers while 2023 Tournament champion Middle Tennessee, LA Tech, and FIU rounded out the top five. Jax State, NM State, Sam Houston, and UTEP were slotted in the bottom four.

 

The trio of fifth-year players all make their first appearance on the preseason list.

 

2024 CUSA Softball Preseason Poll

1.    Liberty (6)

2.    WKU (1)

3.    Middle Tennessee (2)

4.    LA Tech

5.    FIU

6.    Jax State

7.    NM State

8.    Sam Houston

9.    UTEP

 

 

2024 CUSA Softball Preseason Player of the Year

Rachel Roupe, Liberty

 

2024 CUSA Softball Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Paige Bachman, Liberty

 

2024 CUSA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team

Isabella Perez, FIU, So., C

Kendal Lunar, NM State, So., C

Hannah Schaeffer, Sam Houston, Sr., C

Casey Goguts, FIU, Gr., DP/UT

Anyce Harvey, MTSU, Jr., DP/UT

Lindsey Richardson, Jax State, Sr., IF

Ella Whitney, FIU, So., IF

Claire Raley, LA Tech, Jr., IF

Rachel Craine, Liberty, Jr., IF

Shelby Echols, MTSU, Sr., IF

Taylor Sanders, WKU, Gr., IF 

TJ Webster, WKU, Gr., IF 

Kylie Neel, LA Tech, Gr., OF

Rachel Roupe, Liberty, Jr., OF

Shelby Sargent, MTSU, Sr., OF

Riley Carley, NM State, R-Sr., OF

Jaliyah Holmes, Jax State, So. P

Allie Floyd, LA Tech, So., P

Paige Bachman, Liberty, Jr., P

Elena Escobar, Liberty, Jr, P

Katie Gardner, WKU, Gr., P