Alabama State University Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Thursday its preseason honors and predicted order of finish for the upcoming 2010 softball season and a trio of Alabama State University softball players were included in the preseason All-SWAC team

Lady Hornets Destinee Sanchez, Boshia Richardson and Quaniesha Limbrick each garnered second-team honors, while ASU was picked to finish fourth in the Eastern Division this season.

The preseason All-SWAC teams by a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Sanchez, a senior pitcher from Colton, Calif., appeared in 23 games during the 2009 season.  She finished with 52 strikeouts and collected 70 assists.  Sanchez also was named to the 2009 all-conference second-team.

Richardson, a 5-8, sophomore third baseman from Burien, Wash., played in 36 games last season.  She was third on the team in batting .250 and hits (25) and ranked second on the squad with 16 RBIs.

A 5-10, junior outfielder from Houston, Limbrick led the Lady Hornets in batting (.345), RBIs (27) and homeruns (6). She played in every game for ASU last season.

In the preseason rankings, Mississippi Valley State was picked to finish first in the Eastern Division followed by Jackson State, Alcorn State, ASU and Alabama A&M. 

In the Western Division, Southern was tabbed first followed by Grambling, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Texas Southern and Prairie View.

The Lady Hornets will open their 2010 season on February 11 against Savannah State at Lagoon Park.  The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.