By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – With the 2025 softball season a week away, the Ohio Valley Conference released its preseason projected order of finish and the Tennessee Tech softball team took a No. 5-projection, putting the Golden Eagles in the top half of the league in the poll.

The OVC also announced its Players to Watch with infielder Sydney Kirby – a Cookeville turned Cypress, Texas, product – named as the Golden Eagles' preseason standout.

The Golden Eagles, named as the top turnaround team by D1Softball.com last week, had an incredible resurgence in 2024 as they went from six wins in 2023 to reaching the OVC Tournament and claiming 23 wins.

Kirby last season batted .296 as she had 13 doubles and three home runs with 36 RBI and 12 runs scored. She also had a .973 fielding percentage in her first season with the Golden Eagles after transferring in from McLennan Community College.

Southeast Missouri was projected as the favorite with nine of the 20 first-place votes and 152 points. Southern Indiana was picked second with six first-place votes, while Eastern Illinois was third with five first-place votes.

Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech rounded out the top five, while Lindenwood, UT Martin, SIUE, Morehead State and Western Illinois completed the 10-team projection.

The Golden Eagles open the 2025 campaign next Friday as they travel to the Furman Paladin Invitational to take on South Carolina State, Stonehill and Evansville.

Tech opens up the home slate on March 5 as it hosts Bellarmine. All games at Tech Softball Field are free to the public.

Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information