USA Softball and ESPN.com released its preseason top 25 on Tuesday afternoon, with the Kentucky softball team slotted at No. 13 in the poll, its highest start to a season since 2015.
The Wildcats are one of eight Southeastern Conference teams in the top 15 of the poll, and nine in the top-25 overall. The defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners took all 18 first-place votes after a 61-9 season a year ago.
Kentucky will start the season ranked No. 17/13 after a No. 17 showing in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches’ Poll that was also released on Tuesday afternoon.
USA Softball / ESPN.com Preseason Top 25
1. Oklahoma (18)
2. Florida
3. Oregon
4. UCLA
5. Washington
6. Florida State
7. Arizona
8. LSU
9. Texas A&M
10. Alabama
11. Tennessee
12. Baylor
13. Kentucky
14. Auburn
15. Ole Miss
T-16. Utah
T-16. Michigan
18. Minnesota
19. Arizona State
20. Tulsa
21. Oklahoma State
22. BYU
23. James Madison
24. Louisiana
25. Georgia
RV: Ohio State (34), Notre Dame (29), North Carolina (22), South Carolina (18), Wisconsin (17), Arkansas (15), California (15), Illinois (14), Texas State (12), Texas (10), Northwestern (9), Nebraska (8), USC Upstate (8), Missouri (6), Florida International (2)
For the latest on the Kentucky softball team, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
‑ GO CATS –
For more information contact:
Chris Shoals
