STATESBORO, Ga. — Local product Dixie Raley is about to begin only her second season as a member of the Georgia Southern softball team, and is already one of the team’s top performers as previously evidenced by her selection as the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and conference first team designation following the 2016 season.

The Georgia Military College Prep School graduate has garnered another honor, as she was recently the only Georgia Southern player chosen to the preseason all-conference team. Raley was one of 15 Sun Belt players to earn the distinction.

Raley quickly made her way through her Eagles’ ranks as a freshman, finishing her inaugural season with a 22-14 overall record with five shutouts in 34 games started. The hurler’s 3.33 earned run average led the team, and she even knocked that down to 3.03 in conference play paired along with a 9-7 record. Batters only hit for a .225 average against her, and she struck out 182 batters in 202 innings pitched.

Georgia Southern will host a tournament at home to open its 2017 season beginning Feb. 10.