NEW ORLEANS - Three Panthers were named Preseason All-Sun Belt, the conference announced on Monday. Senior Mandy Blackwell, junior Ivie Drake and redshirt junior Megan Litumbe were recognized with the preseason honor.
Blackwell had a breakout year as a junior, hitting a career-best .283 with two homers, 31 RBI and nine doubles. She ranked fourth on the team in both slugging (.362) and RBI and finished third in doubles and hits. During a doubleheader at App State on April 16, Blackwell went 7-for-9 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI to held lead the Panthers to a sweep.