SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State University softball squad placed four players on the 2012 Preaseason All-Peach Belt Conference squad, released today by league officials. Senior second baseman April Jowers, the reigning PBC Player of the Year, was joined on the squad by senior catcher Ashley Buckett, junior outfielder Shelby Duff and senior utility player Baillie Temples.

Jowers, the Pirates' first consensus first-team All-American since 2002, hit a school-record .497 with a record 28 stolen bases in 2011. The Columbus, Ga., native ranked third in NCAA Division II in batting average, leading the league while also ranking second in the league in hits an on-base percentage.

Buckett, meanwhile, is a two-time All-PBC honoree who hit .291 with three home runs and 19 RBI in 2011, earning All-Region honors. The Snellville, Ga., native also threw out 13 of 33 potential basestealers last season, a 39% clip.

Duff was an All-PBC and All-Region selection as a sophomore in 2011, hitting .370 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 43 RBI. The Springfield, Ga., native ranked third in the PBC in doubles and seventh in batting average, slugging percentage and RBIs.

Temples rounds out the Pirates honorees on the preseason All-PBC team after a stellar junior season in which she hit .390 with six home runs and 31 RBIs. A third baseman and outfielder who will also play shortstop this season, the Midland, Ga.., native was a second-team All-PBC honoree a year ago.

Click here for the complete 2012 Preseason All-PBC Softball team.

The Pirates open the 2012 season on Saturday, February 4, hosting Florida Tech at 1:00 p.m. as a part of Armstrong's 35th Anniversary of Women's Athletics celebration.