Softball | 1/29/2020 11:06:00 AM

McKinney & Ramsey Earn Preseason All-Conference First-Team Nods

LORMAN, Miss. – The SWAC released its 2020 Preseason All-Conference Teams, and senior Simone McKinney and junior Amari Ramsey were named to the First-Team, announced Wednesday.
 
"It's always great for any of our players to receive recognition. I am happy for Amari and Simone. They are working hard to compete at a high level for the season. Those are two young ladies who are excelling in the classroom as well," said Alcorn head coach Josef Rankin.
 
Additionally, the Lady Braves were predicted to finish third in the SWAC East Division.
 
"Being picked to finish third, it is what it is. We just want to focus on competing at a high level with great energy. If we do that consistently together, and I mean together, we should be in pretty good shape this season. I just want us to be relentless in how we compete," Rankin said.
 
McKinney, an outfielder from Gulfport, Mississippi, hit for a team-high .322 batting average last season with 16 runs scored, eight RBIs and a pair of doubles. She hit for a .365 average and .403 on-base percentage in conference. McKinney registered nine multi-hit games, including a pair four-hit performances on the year.
 
Ramsey, a third baseman from Gulfport, Mississippi, posted a .367 average and .667 slugging percentage in conference. She knocked 22 hits in 60 at-bats including eight doubles, two triples and a pair of homers. Ramsey started all 18 conference games at third base and was a SWAC Hitter of the Week winner.
 
In 2019, Ramsey earned a spot on the All-Conference First-Team, while McKinney was tabbed to the All-Conference Second-Team.
 
The 2020 season begins Saturday, Feb. 8 when Alcorn travels to Florence, Alabama for games against North Alabama and Tennessee State.
 
Preseason Player of the Year
Tamia Lee-Barbadillo, Alabama A&M
 
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Crystal Castillo, Prairie View A&M
 
Preseason First-Team
1B – Lauryn Banks, Texas Southern
2B – Ebony Wiltz, Texas Southern
3B – Amari Ramsey, Alcorn
SS – Tamia Lee-Barbadillo, Alabama A&M
C - Danielle Hansell, Alabama A&M
OF – Alexis Sydnor, Alabama State
OF – Simone McKinney, Alcorn
OF – Zariah Robins, Texas Southern
P – Crystal Castillo, Prairie View A&M
P – Destiny Ricks, Texas Southern
P – Naomi Reyes, Texas Southern
DP – Rikkelle Miller, Grambling State
 
Preseason Second-Team:
1B – Hailey Walker, Alabama State
2B – Gabrielle Fonseca, Prairie View A&M
3B – Alexis Massie, Alabama State
SS – Roxy Segura, Southern
C - Serena Antone, Prairie View A&M
OF – Terren Vinson, Texas Southern
OF – Shanice Akins, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
OF – Cameron Lavergne, Prairie View A&M
P – Aubrion James, Southern
P – Kayla Owens, Jackson State
P – Justine Jean, Alabama State
DP – Daneisha Hinton, Prairie View A&M
 
Eastern Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Alabama State, 85 points
2. Alabama A&M, 74 points
3. Alcorn, 49 points
4. Jackson State, 45 points
5. Mississippi Valley State, 32 points
 
Western Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Texas Southern, 80 points
2. Prairie View A&M, 77 points
3. Grambling State, 60 points
4. Southern, 36 points
5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 32 points
 
#FearTheBrave