RICHARDSON, TX (01.26.22) - The UT Dallas softball team has been projected to finish ninth in the ASC standings this spring, according to the league's preseason poll released Wednesday.

FULL ASC RELEASE

The balloting of the conference's head coaches and sports information directors have the Comets (7-24, 5-19 ASC East) just out of the postseason this spring after finishing fifth in the ASC's East Division in 2021. The league will return to a single division format for the 2022 season.

Defending ASC champion East Texas Baptist was tabbed a league favorite this spring, collecting 14 first-place votes for 229 points in the poll. Belhaven was a close second with 219 points and six top votes. Mary Hardin-Baylor was predicted third 201 points while Concordia Texas was fourth with 115 points.

McMurry (146) was fifth, Sul Ross State (124) sixth, Hardin-Simmons (114) seventh, LeTourneau (111) eighth, UTD (76) ninth, Howard Payne (44) 10th and Ozarks (30) 11th. CTX and LETU each earned one first-place vote.

Additionally, three Comets were recognized as Preseason Players to Watch in 2022. Pitcher Devyn Yanello, catcher Celeste Soliz and outfield Avery Markley were among the 33 players singled out on the list. Markley was an honorable mention All-ASC selection for the Comets in 2021.

The Comets open the 2022 campaign on Friday, Feb. 4, with a 2 p.m. non-conference home doubleheader with Austin College.