'Cuse Opens 2014 At Mardi Gras Tournament

MARDI GRAS TOURNAMENT - Mobile, Ala. \| Friday, Feb. 7 - Sunday, Feb. 9
Game Coverage	Twitter: @Cuse_Softball Live Updates: In-Game Blog Live Stats Live Audio
SUSB Links	Game Notes \| Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics \| Quick Facts
Austin Peay	Fri. Feb. 7 \| 4:30 p.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics
South Alabama	Fri. Feb. 7 \| 6:45 p.m. Sat. Feb. 8 \| 7:00 p.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics
UAB	Sat. Feb. 8 \| 4:45 p.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics
McNeese State	Sun. Feb. 9 \| 11:00 a.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics

Syracuse, N.Y. – In its first season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the --/rv Syracuse softball team opens the 2014 campaign in Mobile, Ala. at the Mardi Gras Tournament from Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 9.

The Orange will begin play on Friday with a pair of games against Austin Peay at 3:30 p.m. and at host-institution #20/22 South Alabama at 5:45 p.m.. SU will resume action on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. with #21/25 UAB and meet up with South Alabama again at 6 p.m. Syracuse will close out the competition on Sunday at 10 a.m. versus McNeese State.

Fans can follow a live blog for exclusive and up to the minute game updates for all contests by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

RECEIVING VOTES:
The Orange will start the 2014 season receiving votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25, which was released on Jan. 28. The last time Syracuse was in the rankings, the team came in at 24th in the final poll of 2012 on June 6.

SYRACUSE PICKED SEVENTH IN THE ACC PRESEASON POLLS:
In its first season in the ACC, Syracuse was predicted to finish seventh in the preseason coaches poll, earning 42 votes. Florida State, the preseason favorite, garnered eight of 11 first-place nods.

WATSON EARNS COLLEGE SPORTS MADNESS PRESEASON HONORS:
Senior first baseman Jasmine Watson was named to College Sports Madness' 2014 Preseason All-ACC Second Team. Last year, Watson was placed on the All-BIG EAST Second Team after leading SU with a .296 batting average, 11 home runs, 11 doubles and a .572 slugging percentage. Her 11 dingers ranked fifth in the conference.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:
AUSTIN PEAY: The Governors open the 2014 campaign at the Mardi Gras Tournament this weekend. The squad posted an 18-26 overall record and was 9-17 in the Ohio Valley Conference, where Austin Peay was picked to finish fifth in the West Division in the preseason poll. Seniors pitcher/first baseman Lauren de Castro and shortstop Kayla Davidson both return to the team after earning All-OVC honors last year. The nod was de Castro's second straight season being named to the All-OVC First Team.

SOUTH ALABAMA: Entering the 2014 season ranked #20/22 in the national polls, South Alabama was recently selected to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, behind favorite #13/15 Louisiana-Lafayette. Last season, the Jaguars claimed their second straight Sun Belt Conference title en route to hoisting its first-ever NCAA Regional as the 13th overall seed. All-American and 2014 Top-50 "Watch List" honoree Hannah Campbell is back on the mound for the Jaguars. She is joined on the Sun Belt preseason all-conference team by juniors Blair Johnson and Kaitlyn Griffith.

UAB: Coming off a trip to the Super Regionals at the 2013 NCAA College World Series, #21/25 UAB is expected to win Conference USA according to the preseason coaches poll. Reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year Caitlin Attfeld was recognized on the preseason all-conference team along with senior pitcher Lannah Campbell, who was named First-Team All-Conference USA last year.

McNEESE STATE: McNeese State matched the school record with 38 wins last season en route to claiming the Southland Conference regular season title. The Cowgirls were tabbed to repeat as conference champions by the league's sports information directors preseason poll. Four players were selected as preseason all-conference honorees with catcher Ashley Modzelewski, outfielder Alanna DiVittorio and pitcher Jamie Allred earning first team status. Emily Vincent was named to the second team.

LOOKING AHEAD:
The Orange head south once again, this time stopping at Myrtle Beach for the Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina. SU will get a pair of games against Purdue and will play the host Chanticleers, Towson and La Salle all once during the weekend.

MARDI GRAS TOURNAMENT - Mobile, Ala. \| Friday, Feb. 7 - Sunday, Feb. 9
Game Coverage	Twitter: @Cuse_Softball Live Updates: In-Game Blog Live Stats Live Audio
SUSB Links	Game Notes \| Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics \| Quick Facts
Austin Peay	Fri. Feb. 7 \| 4:30 p.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics
South Alabama	Fri. Feb. 7 \| 6:45 p.m. Sat. Feb. 8 \| 7:00 p.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics
UAB	Sat. Feb. 8 \| 4:45 p.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics
McNeese State	Sun. Feb. 9 \| 11:00 a.m.	Roster \| Schedule \| 2013 Statstics

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