BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Jacksonville State has been picked to win its third-straight Ohio Valley Conference crown in 2010 by the league's head coaches, the conference office announced on Thursday.

The Gamecocks are coming off of the most storied season in school history in 2009, one that saw them post a 46-13 record. They won the OVC's regular season title before winning the NCAA Knoxville Regional and advancing to the school's first ever NCAA Super Regional, where they fell to No. 3 Alabama. JSU also finished as high as 21st in the national polls, the program's first appearance in the polls.

The Gamecocks, who won their third OVC regular-season title in five seasons last year, picked up six first-place votes and 76 points. Last season's tournament champions, UT Martin earned two first-place votes and 65 points for a second-place predicted finish. Southeast Missouri, which earned a first-place nod, and Tennessee Tech are selected to finish in a tie for third with 60 points while Morehead State garnered the final first-place vote and 58 points to be selected to finish fifth. Rounding out the poll are Eastern Illinois (36), Eastern Kentucky (36), Murray State (23), Tennessee State (22) and Austin Peay (13).

In 2010, head coach Jana McGinnis returns six players that earned All-OVC honors a year ago, led by reigning Player of the Year Nikki Prier. A senior first baseman from Raleigh, N.C., Prier led the OVC in 2009 with a .379 batting average and ranked 10th nationally in doubles. She also led the league in RBI and total bases, while finishing second in home runs.

Also back for the Gamecocks are senior outfielders Chrissy O'Neal and Hillary Downs and junior pitcher Ashley Eliasson. O'Neal was a first-team All-OVC selection a year ago after hitting .364 with 10 home runs and a league-best 49 hits, while Downs and Eliasson each earned second team-honors. Downs hit .357 with eight home runs and 15 stolen bases in her first year after transferring from Central Alabama, while Eliasson posted and 18-8 record and a 1.72 earned run average as a sophomore a year ago.

Downs was also selected to the OVC's All-Newcomer Team, one that also featured freshmen Meredith Sellers and Allison Svoboda. Sellers hit .320 in league games, while Svoboda boasted a .311 average in OVC play.

Also in the mix this season will be a large group of newcomers. McGinnis has 11 new faces on this year's roster, a corps that is mixed with freshmen and transfers.

The Gamecocks, who began practice last week, will open the 2010 season on Feb. 13 at the Kennesaw State K-Club Classic in Kennesaw, Ga. Their first home game will be on Feb. 18, when future Ohio Valley Conference foe SIU-Edwardsville pays a visit to University Field. The team's annual Fan Day will be Feb. 7, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at University Field. The Gamecocks will be on hand, and free t-shirts, popcorn, drinks, games and other prizes will be given away. Admission to Fan Day and all of the Gamecocks' home games is free.