BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello softball team has been picked to win the Gulf South Conference-West Division and three of its players have earned preseason all-conference honors.

The Cotton Blossoms received five first place votes and one second place vote for a total of 35 points, which is eight points higher than second place prediction and defending division champion Arkansas Tech. UAM also received one vote to win the overall GSC championship.

Following UAM and Arkansas Tech in preseason GSC-West poll are, in order, Delta State, Ouachita Baptist, Henderson State, Christian Brothers and Southern Arkansas.

Alabama-Huntsville was picked unanimously to win the GSC-East and was also picked to win the overall GSC championship with 10 of the 13 total votes. Valdosta State received two overall championship votes.

Sophomore Kayla Jackson, senior Becca Tipton and senior Emilie Hobbs were all selected to the 2010 Preseason All-GSC West squad. All three earned All-GSC West First Team postseason honors last year.

In addition to her all-conference honors, Jackson was named the GSC-West Pitcher and Freshman of the Year last season. Tipton is a former GSC-West Freshman of the Year and Hobbs smashed UAM’s single-season record last year with 26 stolen bases on 28 attempts and only committed four errors in 54 games at second base.

The Cotton Blossoms open the 2010 campaign on Friday, February 5 with 14 consecutive road games before hosting LeMoyne-Owen for a double-header on Tuesday, February 23 at 1 p.m. at Blossoms Field.