UK softball tied for second in SEC last year. See where coaches voted them for 2020.

The University of Kentucky softball team was picked to finish fourth in the Southeastern Conference this season in a vote of the league’s 13 head coaches announced Wednesday.

Kentucky finished in a three-way tie for second place in 2019 when it finished 36-24 overall, 14-10 in league play and advanced to the super-regional round of the NCAA Tournament where it was eliminated by Washington.

Defending SEC champion Alabama was picked to win the conference by 11 of the 13 coaches with teams not able to vote for themselves. Tennessee was predicted to finish second with the remaining two first-place votes.

Following Alabama (143 points) and Tennessee (129) were LSU (117) and Kentucky (101).

Kentucky Coach Rachel Lawson returns several key pieces from her 2019 roster including All-SEC performer Kayla Kowalik and National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-Region player Alex Martens. Additionally, all five pitchers for Kentucky return for 2020 led by junior Grace Baalman and senior Autumn Humes.

Following Kentucky in the preseason voting were Florida (92), Georgia (84), Arkansas (80), Mississippi (62), South Carolina (56), Missouri (54), Auburn (52), Mississippi State (22) and Texas A&M (22). Vanderbilt does not field a team.

UK’s season opener

Kentucky vs. Liberty

What: NFCA Lead-Off Classic

Where: Clearwater, Fla.

When: Feb. 7 at noon