NEW ORLEANS. – The Coastal Carolina softball team had two student-athletes, Georgia Hood and Delaney Keith, named to the 2025 All-Sun Belt preseason team, the league announced on Wednesday. Additionally, the Chanticleers were picked to finish sixth in the preseason coaches' poll.

Texas State led the 2025 preseason coaches' poll with 134 points and five first-place votes, knocking Louisiana off the top spot for the first time since 2018. The Ragin' Cajuns followed in second with 131 points and six first-place votes.

Coastal received 94 points to land in sixth place in the preseason poll, just behind South Alabama (106), Troy (103), and James Madison (99). ULM (76) secured the seventh spot, Georgia Southern (51) in eighth, and Marshall (50) in ninth. Southern Miss (44), App State (33), and Georgia State (13) rounded out the poll in 10th, 11th, and 12th, respectively.

Hood plays a vital role in the Chanticleers' starting lineup and earned 2024 All-Sun Belt first team honors, along with NFCA All-Region second-team recognition. The Mount Gambier, Australia, native topped the team in batting average (.402), slugging percentage (.750), and on-base percentage (.521), while also smashing nine home runs and driving in 31 RBI. 

Delaney Keith picked up her second straight Sun Belt preseason team selection after having a stellar season in 2024. Keith made her mark in the Sun Belt rankings, placing fourth in runs (46), tied for sixth in doubles (13), and tied for sixth in stolen bases (17). The third baseman was named to the 2024 All-Sun Belt second-team and led the team with 11 home runs and 14 multi-hit games.

The Chanticleers are set to kick off the season with the Kickin' Chicken Classic on Feb. 7-9. To purchase tickets, click here or contact the Coastal Carolina Athletics Ticket Office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday at (843)-347-8499.

2025 Sun Belt Conference Softball Preseason Awards

Preseason Player of the Year
Brooklyn Ulrich, Marshall (R-Jr., 2B – Mesa, Ariz.)

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Madison Azua, Texas State (So., P – Round Rock, Texas)

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
Bella Henzler, James Madison (Jr., C – Allison Park, Pa.)
Georgia Hood, Coastal Carolina (So., 1B – Mount Gambier, Australia)
Sam Roe, Louisiana (Sr., 1B – Destin, Fla.)
Brooklyn Ulrich, Marshall (R-Jr., 2B – Mesa, Ariz.)
Taylor McKinney, Troy (Sr., 2B – Montgomery, Ala.)
Delaney Keith, Coastal Carolina (Jr., 3B – Nampa, Idaho)
Cecilia Vasquez, Louisiana (Jr., SS – New Waverly, Texas)
Meagan Brown, ULM (So., OF – Katy, Texas)
Reed Butler, James Madison (Gr., OF – Pomfret, Md.)
Emma Davis, Georgia Southern (Jr., OF – Grayson, Ga.)
Maddie Hayden, Louisiana (Sr., OF – West Monroe, La.)
Ciara Trahan, Texas State (Sr., OF – Sante Fe, Texas)
Payton List, James Madison (R-So., DP – Beaver, Pa.)
Madison Azua, Texas State (So., P – Round Rock, Texas)
Maddie Nichols, ULM (Jr., P – West Monroe, La.)

2025 Sun Belt Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.    Texas State (5) – 134
2.    Louisiana (6) – 131
3.    South Alabama – 106
4.    Troy – 103
5.    James Madison (1) – 99
6.    Coastal Carolina – 94
7.    ULM – 76
8.    Georgia Southern – 51
9.    Marshall – 50
10.    Southern Miss – 44
11.    App State – 33
12.    Georgia State – 13

For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSoftball (X), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.