BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Jan. 23) - The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2017 Preseason All-SWAC softball team today with Tonnay Hawking earning first team preseason all-conference honors, voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
 
Hawkins, a 5-5 junior outfielder form El Paso, Texas started in all 42 games last season in the Lady Lions' outfield.  She finished the season with a .386 batting average as she tallied 54 hits in 140 at-bats.  Hawkins also tallied 15 RBIs and scored 29 runs on the season.   In addition, she stole 10 bases, recorded 57 putouts and dished out four assists. Hawkins recorded a season high four hits against Langston, three against Lubbock, Mississippi Valley, and Prairie View A&M and tallied two or more hits in 16 games on the season.
 
 
UAPB was predicted to finish fourth in the SWAC Western Division with 37 points.  Texas Southern was predicted win the division with 16 first place points for a total of 86 points.  Southern University was predicted finish second a score of 61 points and receiving two first place votes.  Prairie View A&M tallied 59 points for a third place predicted order of finish and Grambling was predicted to finish fifth with 27 points.
 
 
Defending 2016 SWAC Champion Alabama State was predicted to win the East division with 79 points and 11 first place votes.  Mississippi Valley State is predicted to finish second with 67 points and four first place votes.  Alcorn State  and Jackson State are predicted to finish third and fourth with the Lady Braves tallying 49 points and one first place vote and the Lady Tigers recording two first place votes and two first place votes.  Alabama A&M tallied 37 points for a fifth place predicted order of finish.