Patriot OF Birchmeier named to preseason All-PBC squad

Francis Marion University senior outfielder Jessica Birchmeier has been named to the Peach Belt Conference's 2010 preseason All-Conference softball team.  The 11-player squad was selected by the league's head coaches.

Birchmeier, a native of Port Richey, Fla., started all 51 games for the Patriots in 2009, hitting. 324 with 20 runs batted in and 23 runs scored.   She was 11th in the PBC in on-base percentage (.415) and sixth in walks drawn with 21.

The left-hander was an All-PBC and All-Region selection each of the past two seasons.

Francis Marion opens its 2010 campaign on Feb. 6-7 at the Early Bird Tournament in Aiken.

2010 Peach Belt Conference Preseason Softball All-Conference Team

1B - Nicole Huddleston, Armstrong Atlantic State
2B - Laura Voyles, North Georgia
3B - Jelena Shaw, UNC Pembroke
SS - Kacee Camp, Augusta State
C - Hilary Cox, North Georgia
OF - Courtney McGuire, North Georgia
OF - Pilar Harden, North Georgia
OF - Jessica Birchmeier, Francis Marion
P - Sarah Phillips, North Georgia
P - Toni Flessate, USC Aiken
DP - Leslee Smith, North Georgia

    Jessica Birchmeier