FRISCO, Texas - The Texas A&M - Corpus Christi softball team was selected to finish fourth in the 2013 Southland Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll in a vote by both the conference's head coaches and sports information directors, the league announced Wednesday. Sophomore Mickayla Cochran (OF) was tabbed All-Southland Conference Preseason Second Team.

The Islanders return three starters and 11 letterwinners from a team that finished with an 18-23 overall record (11-9 SLC) a year ago under Head Coach Stephanie Hughes. The Islanders advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament for the third straight year and finished fourth. The 2013 team will welcome four newcomers along with Cochran who started 37-of-39 of the Islanders' games last season.

Cochran finished second on the team with a batting average of .293 and tallied the most hits with 99. The Peoria, Ariz. native was tied for third in runs scored while posting a .974 fielding percentage with the majority of her fielding coming from behind home plate.

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi was selected to finish fourth in the Preseason Coaches' poll behind Sam Houston State (78), who finished second during the regular season last year and at the 2012 conference tournament, McNeese State (72) and Central Arkansas (65). The Islanders received 56 points. In the Preseason Sports Information Director's poll, the Islanders were tabbed fourth with a total of 53 points behind Sam Houston State (74), Central Arkansas (73) and McNeese State (69).

The Islanders will open the season in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Feb. 7, against Texas on the Longhorn Network. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

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