NEW ORLEANS — James Madison first baseman Hannah Shifflett was named to the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Softball Preseason All-Conference Team, the league announced Thursday afternoon. The Dukes were picked to finish fifth in a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches.

Louisiana was the unanimous favorite in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the fifth consecutive year the Ragin’ Cajuns were picked to win the league. JMU received 93 overall points, putting them in fifth.

Shifflett was selected as a first baseman to the preseason team after being named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year and earning All-Region and All-CAA First Team nods last season. She started all 42 games for the Dukes in 2022 and recorded a batting average of .350 with an .800 slugging percentage. She added 20 home runs, 65 RBI’s and 75 total hits.

The Dukes open up the season on Friday, Feb. 10 at the Charleston Invitational against Chattanooga in Charleston, S.C. at 10:30 a.m.

2023 Sun Belt Conference Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Louisiana (12) – 144
2. Texas State – 130
3. South Alabama – 118
4. Troy – 99
5. James Madison – 93
6. Marshall – 80
7. Southern Miss – 68
8. App State – 63
9. ULM – 44
10. Coastal Carolina – 43
T11. Georgia State – 27
T11. Georgia Southern – 27

2023 Sun Belt Conference Softball Preseason Awards

Preseason Player of the Year
Kelly Horne, Troy

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Jessica Mullins, Texas State

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
P – Jessica Mullins, Texas State
P – Olivia Lackie, South Alabama
C – Sophie Piskos, Louisiana
1B – Hannah Shifflett, James Madison
1B – Stormy Kotzelnick, Louisiana
2B – Kelly Horne, Troy
SS – Alexa Langeliers, Louisiana
3B – Jourdyn Campbell, Louisiana
3B – Sara Vanderford, Texas State
DP – Karly Heath, Louisiana
DP – Iyanla De Jesus, Coastal Carolina
OF – Ciara Trahan, Texas State
OF – Maddie Hayden, Louisiana
OF – Mackenzie Brasher, South Alabama
OF – Kayt Houston, App State

— JMU Athletics —