MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) announced the 2021 preseason teams highlighted by the preseason Pitcher and Player of the Year, and the predicted order of finish, on a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Alabama State was picked to win the East Division with 81 votes, 25 more votes than Alcorn State who was picked to finish second overall in the division. Alabama A&M (53), Jackson State (51), and Mississippi Valley State (31) finished out the division. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M was picked to win the West Division with 80 votes, while Texas Southern was picked to finish second. Southern (48), Grambling State (40), and UAPB (27) round out the West Division.

Senior Vanessa Bradford was tabbed the conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year after an 8-10 mark during the 2019 season where she helped lead Alabama State to the conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. She recorded a 4.83 earned run average in 87.2 innings pitched, starting 20 games and recording five saves. Bradford allowed 47 earned runs, struck out 54, and threw one complete game. Last season, she appeared in 10 games with five starts in a season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She recorded one win and one complete game, while striking out 24.

Meanwhile, Alex Massie was named to the second team as third baseman after hitting .314 with 33 total hits – including five doubles – during the 2019 season. During the championship run, Massie scored 15 times and drove in another 17 runs, while also recording a .359 on-base percentage. Last season, she finished the shortened year hitting .239 with 16 total hits in 25 games. She scored 11 times and drove in six runs, while also adding a pair of stolen bases.

Kindall DeRamus was also selected to the second team as the designated player after hitting .380 last season as a true freshman. She collected 30 hits in 79 official at-bats, collecting a pair of doubles and a triple. She also scored 21 runs and drove in seven more, while recording a team-high 12 stolen bases.

Alabama State opens the 2021 season at home in the Stinger Classic against Western Carolina on Friday inside the Barbara Williams Softball Complex, with first pitch scheduled for 3 pm. The tournament will also feature North Alabama, Notre Dame, and Tennessee Tech. The tournament can be seen on the Hornet Sports Network beginning Friday.

Only those listed on the player pass list will be allowed inside the Barbara Williams Softball Complex this season due to social distant seating and COVID-19 protocols. No tickets will be sold at any time for the venue, and masks are mandatory while visiting the Alabama State University campus and its athletic venues.

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