As part of our in-depth preseason college softball coverage, today we dive into the Sun Belt 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
Call them Louisiana, call them Louisiana-Lafayette, call them the Ragin Cajuns – but the longtime Sun Belt favorite finished off another title in 2022. The Cajuns won both the regular-season and conference tournament titles a year ago and were the only team to represent the league in the NCAA tournament.
The Sun Belt added three softball programs and lost a fourth this summer. Newcomers include Marshall and Southern Miss by way of Conference USA, as well as James Madison by way of the CAA. UT-Arlington left the Sun Belt in conference realignment and joined the WAC.
A total of twelve softball programs currently make up the Sun Belt offering. The group includes Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana, Marshall, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Texas State, Troy, and ULM.
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II. Award Predictions
Player of the Year: Jourdyn Campbell, Louisiana
Pitcher of the Year: Jessica Mullins, Texas State
Coach of the Year: Megan Smith, Marshall
Conference Champions: Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
