BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ^__ The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2023 SWAC Softball Predicted Order of Finish on Wednesday morning with Alabama A&M tabbed for fifth in the Eastern Division heading into the upcoming season. The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Alabama State was picked to finish in 1^st place in the SWAC's Eastern Division. The Lady Hornets tallied three first place points and 61 total points. Jackson State (2^nd), Bethune-Cookman (3^rd), Florida A&M (4^th), Alabama A&M (5^th) and Mississippi Valley State (6^th) round out the list of SWAC East Preseason selections.
 
Prairie View A&M was tabbed to finish in 1^st place in the SWAC's Western Division. The Lady Panthers amassed seven first place votes and 70 total points. Texas Southern (2^nd), Southern (3^rd), Grambling State (4^th), Alcorn State (5^th), and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6^th) highlight SWAC West Preseason selections.
 
The 2023 SWAC Softball regular season is set to begin next week with league teams returning to action. The 2023 SWAC Softball Tournament will be held May 9-12 (*May 13 if necessary) at the Gulfport Sportsplex located in Gulfport, Miss.
 
The league is scheduled to announce the 2023 SWAC Softball Preseason Team and Individual Awards selections tomorrow (Feb. 2).
 
A full listing of preseason poll rankings is listed below.
 
Predicted Order of Finish
 
SWAC Eastern Division
1. Alabama State- 61 (3)
2. Jackson State- 53 (3)
3. Bethune-Cookman- 44 (2)
4. Florida A&M- 43 (2)
5. Alabama A&M- 35 (2)
6. Mississippi Valley State- 15  
 
SWAC Western Division
1. Prairie View A&M- 70 (7)
2. Texas Southern- 67 (3)
3. Southern- 46 (1)
4. Grambling State- 43 (1)
5. Alcorn State- 30
6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 17
 
*First place votes listed in parenthesis
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women's competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.

Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.