The Howard Payne softball team was pre-season picked to finish fifth in the 2011 American Southwest Conference pre-season poll, it was announced by the league office after a vote of each division’s head coaches, sports information directors and selected media members. Howard Payne’s Ashley Silva earned preseason individual honors.

The Lady Jackets finished 10-25 overall and 6-18 in ASC play last season. HPU returns last season’s West Division Player of the Year, Ashley Silva, and 2nd Team outfielder, Kimble Luna.

Ashley Silva (Angleton, TX / AHS), a senior first baseman, is expected to repeat the title of ASC West Division Player of the Year. Silva batted a division-high .448 with three home runs, eight doubles and 20 RBIs over 87 at-bats. She also drew 27 walks and struck out just thee times.

Howard Payne will open the 2011 season in San Antonio on February 12th in a double header versus Trinity University.

The 2011 ASC season – the 13th in league history – begins as early as February 13. The ASC First Pitch Tournament, featuring all 14 league teams in cross-divisional, non-conference action, is set for March 4-5 at Oran Good Park in Farmers Branch, Texas. The six-team, double elimination conference tournament is on tap for April 28-30 at Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park in Lewisville, Texas, with an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Softball Championship on the line.

2011 ASC PRESEASON SOFTBALL POLL
[Voted on by ASC Head Coaches, Sports Information Directors and Media Members]

EAST DIVISION
Team (first-place votes) Points 2010 Record
1. Texas-Tyler (6) 126 39-9, 20-4 ASC (1st)
2. Louisiana College (9) 124 44-8, 19-5 ASC (2nd)
3. East Texas Baptist (5) 119 40-12, 16-8 ASC (3rd)
4. Mississippi College (1) 86 29-13, 15-9 ASC (4th)
5. LeTourneau 56 15-21, 6-18 ASC (5th)
6. Texas-Dallas 53 16-24, 5-19 ASC (6th)
7. Ozarks 24 9-31, 3-21 ASC (7th)

WEST DIVISION
Team (first-place votes) Points 2010 Record
1. Mary Hardin-Baylor (15) 139 26-17, 21-3 ASC (1st)
2. Hardin-Simmons (5) 123 24-13, 17-7 ASC (3rd)
3. Concordia Texas (1) 102 24-16, 18-6 ASC (2nd)
4. Schreiner 77 17-20, 13-11 ASC (4th)
5. Howard Payne 69 10-25, 6-18 ASC (6th)
6. Texas Lutheran 52 14-24, 8-16 ASC (5th)
7. Sul Ross State 26 2-38, 1-23 ASC (7th)

2011 ASC PRESEASON SOFTBALL INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS
[Voted on by ASC Head Coaches, Sports Information Directors and Media Members]

EAST DIVISION
Player Joey Cronin, OF, So., Texas-Tyler
Pitcher Rene Schwartzenburg, RHP, Sr., Louisiana College

WEST DIVISION
Pitcher Megann Lewis, RHP, Sr., Hardin-Simmons
Player Ashley Silva, 1B, Sr., Howard Payne