BYU picked to win 2019 WCC title in preseason poll

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Five-time defending West Coast Conference champions, BYU softball, has been selected to claim the 2019 WCC title, the league announced Wednesday.

The Cougars (37-22, 13-1 WCC) return five starters from a squad that advanced to its 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament in 2018. After leading the conference with six student-athletes named Preseason All-WCC, BYU will enter the new season under head coach Gordon Eakin for the 17th consecutive year. 

Libby Sugg, a Third-Team NFCA All-American who ranked seventh nationally last year with 67 RBIs, was one of four BYU position players named Preseason All-WCC. The three-time all-conference catcher joined 2018 first-team All-WCC selection Lexi Tarrow, 2018 WCC Player of the Year Rylee Jensen and 2018 WCC Freshman of the Year Bridget Fleener on the billing.

BYU also occupied two of the three pitchers’ spots on this year’s preseason roster, held by Autumn Moffat and 2018 WCC Co-Pitcher of the Year Kerisa Viramontes.

The Cougars received four of the six place first-place votes, totaling 24 votes of the maximum 25 points. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team. Loyola Marymount took second place with two first place votes and San Diego followed in third with 15 votes. Pacific, Santa Clara and Saint Mary's took the final three spots, respectively. 

2019 WCC Softball Preseason Polls