As part of our in-depth preseason college softball coverage, today we dive into the ASun and forecast what could be in store for the league during the 2023 season.
For our remaining Conference Forecasts in 2023, we’ve also added a team-by-team breakdown and analysis of every program in the conference. Check that out in Section XI below.
1. Conference Breakdown
Liberty and Central Arkansas won the ASun East and West divisions, respectively, last season, with Liberty earning the regular-season conference title by way of a 23-1 conference record. The Flames remained atop the league through the conference tournament, winning the ASun tournament crown and the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.
The ASun added two new programs via conference realignment this summer, welcoming Austin Peay (via the OVC) and Queens (from Division 2) to their ranks. Three programs will depart the ASun over the next two years, though the league checks in at a whopping 14 teams this season.
Current ASun members include Austin Peay, Bellarmine, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Gulf Coast, Jacksonville, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Lipscomb, North Alabama, North Florida, Queens, and Stetson.
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II. Award Predictions
Player of the Year: Taylor Cates, Kennesaw State
Pitcher of the Year: Karlie Keeney, Liberty
Coach of the Year: Jenny Parsons, Central Arkansas
Conference Champions: Liberty Flames
NCAA Tournament Teams: Liberty, Central Arkansas
