Two Alabama State University softball players have been named to the preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference teams by a vote of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Destinee Sanchez and Tiffany Wells both received second-team preseason honors.

Wells, a senior shortstop from Douglas, Ga., and the 2008 SWAC Newcomer of the Year, played in all 35 games. She led the Lady Hornets in hitting with a .350 average, in hits (35) and stolen bases (9 of 12 attempts). She earned SWAC Player of the Week honors once in 2008.

Sanchez, a junior pitcher from Colton, Calif., played in 22 games during the 2008 season. She led the pitching staff with 74 strikeouts and earned the SWAC Pitcher of the Week honor once last season.

SWAC coaches and sports information directors picked the Lady Hornets to finish fifth in the Eastern Division. Mississippi Valley State was the consensus choice to win the division, followed by Alcorn State, Jackson State and Alabama A&M. 

Southern University was tabbed to win the Western Division, followed by Grambling, Prairie View, Texas Southern and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Lady Hornets begin their season this weekend, hosting the Hornet Invitational Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8, at Fain Park. The first pitch for the 2009 season is set to be thrown at 1 p.m. Saturday.