Jan. 28, 2004
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Florida State Seminoles have been selected as the top pick for the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference softball season, as determined by a vote of the league’s six head coaches. FSU tallied all six first place votes. Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Virginia finished in a tie for second with 23 points. Following those four were Maryland in fifth place and ACC softball newcomer NC State in sixth.
The 2003 ACC champion Seminoles finished 8-0 during the regular season last year and return seven starters, including reigning ACC Player of the Year Jessica van der Linden.
Georgia Tech (3-4 ACC in 2003) claimed its first ACC Championship in 2002 and returns All-ACC performers Tara Knudsen (Thornton, Colo.) and Jessica Sallinger (Kennesaw, Ga.). Knudsen led the ACC in home runs and Sallinger led the league in strikeouts.
North Carolina is coming off a 40-win season where the Tar Heels finished 4-3 during the ACC regular season. UNC returns ACC Rookie of the Year Crystal Cox and All-ACC first baseman Jaclyn Holden. Cox ranked amongst the nation’s leaders in wins and ERA, while Holden finished second in the nation with 27 doubles.
Virginia finished the ACC regular season with a 3-5 mark, but rallied at the ACC Tournament making it to the finals against host Florida State. The Cavaliers return Heather Field and All-ACC honoree Sara Larquier.
2004 Preseason ACC Softball Poll
1. Florida State (6), 36 pts.
2. Georgia Tech, 23 pts.
2. North Carolina, 23 pts.
2. Virginia, 23 pts.
5. Maryland, 15 pts.
6. NC State, 6 pts.
-GT SOFTBALL-
