From January 3 through the beginning of the regular season, we’re going to take a look at every Division 1 conference and Forecast what to expect in each league this season. Today, we take a look at the Southeastern Conference, the SEC.
I. Conference Breakdown
The SEC is tied as the second-largest softball leagues among the Power 5s, boasting a total of thirteen teams. Those programs include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
Seven SEC teams earned top-16 national seeds last season, including five of the top eight seeds in the NCAA tournament. Only one of those seeded teams advanced to the Women’s College World Series – Alabama – while unseeded Georgia gave the conference a second representative in the championship tournament. Twelve of the thirteen SEC teams were selected for the NCAA tournament’s field of 64, with South Carolina the sole outlier.
II. 2022 Award Predictions
Player of the Year: Kayla Kowalik, Kentucky
Pitcher of the Year: Montana Fouts, Alabama
Coach of the Year: Patrick Murphy, Alabama
Conference Champions: Alabama Crimson Tide
III. Who to Watch
*** Scroll down to get a team-by-team look at the SEC softball scene for 2022!