PRESTONSBURG - Prestonsburg claimed the No. 10 spot in the Kentucky Softball Coaches Association (KSCA) Preseason 15th Region Top 10 Poll. The Prestonsburg softball team is under the guidance of first-year head coach Rick Hughes.

Prestonsburg is the lone Floyd County high school softball team in the preseason poll. The Lady Blackcats are ranked behind Pike Central, Belfry, Paintsville, Shelby Valley, Pikeville, Lawrence County, Magoffin County, East Ridge and defending champion Johnson Central.

Prior to being named head coach, Hughes was an assistant coach for the Prestonsburg softball team. Don Compton is a first-year assistant coach on the Prestonsburg softball coaching staff.

Despite recent winter-like weather, Hughes has kept the Lady Blackcats busy throughout the preseason.

“Weather has held us back as far as getting on the field, but we have been able to get practice time in by using our indoor facility and being in the gym,” Hughes said.

The Prestonsburg roster features 17 players. The roster is made up of 14 juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen. Of Prestonsburg’s 14 juniors, only five have varsity experience.

“We’ve got a good group of girls,” Hughes confided. “Also, we’ve received great support from the school and the parents are great to work with as well.”

Shelby Valley won a season-opener over Prestonsburg Tuesday evening, defeating the Lady Blackcats 15-2 in five innings.

Prestonsburg was slated to play six games this week. The Lady Blackcats are scheduled to play five games next week.

The Kentucky Softball Coaches Association’s 15th Region rankings (teams and players) follow.

KSCA Preseason 15th Region Top 10 Poll: 1. Johnson Central; 2. East Ridge; 3. Magoffin County; 4. Lawrence County; 5. Pikeville; 6. Shelby Valley; 7. Paintsville; 8. Belfry; 9. Pike Central 10. Prestonsburg.

KSCA Preseason 15th Region Top 10 Players: 1. Brooke Williams (Junior, Johnson Central); 2. Chloe Blair (Senior, Johnson Central); 3. Kristen Caudill (Senior, Lawrence County); 4. Rebeckah Fairchild (Sophomore, Johnson Central); 5. Tabitha Potter (Senior, East Ridge); 6. Racehelle Fairchild (Sophomore, Johnson Central); 7. Hannah Skaggs (Freshman, Magoffin County); 8. Teena Rowe (Senior, East Ridge); 9. Mariah Newsome (Junior, Shelby Valley); 10. Mollie Blackburn (Senior, Pikeville).