Hattiesburg, MS- William Carey softball received 540 votes to come in at No. 6 in the 2010 NAIA Softball Coaches Preseason Top 25. Head Coach Wendy Hogue's Lady Crusaders won a school record 42 games, captured their first ever Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship, captured the NAIA Unaffiliated Conference Championship, and made their second straight national tournament appearance last season.

The 2010 Lady Crusaders return six All-GCAC players including Player of the Year and NAIA First Team All-American Judy Barber. Last season the junior from Petal, MS, hit .412 with 17 homers, 12 doubles, and 53 RBI.  Also returning are Melanie Bush, Jeana Erickson, Bree Neidhardt, Kelsey Jo Smith, and Tan Montgomery.

In the infield Carey returns Barber, Neidhardt and Erickson at third, second and shortstop respectively but must find replacements for All-American Jill Wedgeworth and Kellie Blue. Newcomers Missy Paulina and Courtney Murray will compete for the vacancies at first and third.

In the outfield there is no shortage of depth our talent. Junior's Tan Montgomery and Shayna Tuner along with the sophomore trio of Casey Alexander, Nikki Sanders, and Larke Nightengale provided Hogue with speed and experience. Newcomer Morgan Stewart adds even more depth and options to the outfield rotation.

All-American Judy Barber returns behind the plate for the Lady Crusaders while Shana Gunter, Missy Paulina, and Kayala Saucier will compete for the job vacated by Jill Wedgeworth.

All four starting pitchers from a year ago return in Katie McCrary, Melanie Bush, Alyssa Boutwell, and Kelsey Jo Smith. The addition of Anna Ard will add another quality pitcher to the staff for the upcoming season.

Carey opens the season next Friday in the Belhaven Invitational in Ridgeland, MS.