AUGUSTA, Ga. - Augusta State was picked to finish third in the 2010 softball preseason poll, according to a vote of the league’s head coaches released on Wednesday by the league office.

North Georgia was picked to finish first and received nine of a possible 10 first-place votes to finish with 99 points, outdistancing Francis Marion in second place. Augusta State and GCSU were tied for third while Armstrong Atlantic State was fifth, one point ahead of USC Aiken in sixth.

Last season, Augusta State returned to the NCAA tournament and has made the post-season field in two of the last three years. For 2010 the Lady Jaguars return six starters among their position players and three of the top four pitchers from last season’s squad that posted a 34-21 record. Among the returners is PBC Freshman of the Year Kacee Camp at shortstop and All-Conference DP Jessica Thornton.

The Jaguars open their 2010 schedule on Saturday, Feb. 6 against Alderson-Broaddus in Aiken, S.C., at 2:00 p.m.