One thing coaches in almost every sport in the Ohio Valley Conference loves is how competitive all the teams are. In softball that high level of competition stands true.

“So far I think the conference has shown it’s going to be much more competitive this year,” Tennessee Tech head coach Tory Acheson said. “Top to bottom there is more balance than last year and that’s going to be exciting.”

The biggest sign of the balance of talent between the eight softball teams in the OVC is the results of this past weekend.

After being selected to finish last in a preseason coaches’ poll, Tennessee State (6-22, 3-8) has upset three of the top four top selections in the OVC, Tennessee Tech (No. 2), Tennessee-Martin (No. 3) and Southeast Missouri (No. 4).

At the opposite end of the spectrum, preseason favorite and defending OVC champion Eastern Kentucky (14-13, 1-5) has struggled early on.

“The preseason picks are always interesting, because there is always things that can affect your success,” Acheson said. “Eastern Kentucky will definitely be back in contention by the end of the season.”

The Colonels early struggles in the OVC schedule have turned out well for Acheson’s Golden Eagles who were picked to finish second, but currently hold first place with a record of 24-10 overall and 7-1 in conference.

“Obviously we’re pleased with the way things have gone so far,” Acheson said. “One-third of the way into the season and we’re in first place and we hope to keep that ball rolling until the end of the year.”

Eastern was selected to finish fifth, the same place it finished in the regular season last year, after claiming third place in the OVC Tournament.

One big problem for the Panthers has been injuries.

Junior pitcher Trish Sanders might be out for the remainder of the season with a fractured ankle.

Eastern head coach Lloydene Searle said the Panthers will also be without junior second baseman Kristin Lovering for a week.

“It would be nice to have (Lovering) back and have people in their position,” Searle said.

The Panthers’ injuries have contributed to an 0-5 start in the OVC, landing them in last place.

Searle realizes her team will have a hard time getting out of last place.

“It’s going to be a dogfight in softball for the conference teams,” Searle said.

She also echoed Acheson’s belief about the level of competition in the OVC.

“(The conference standings) to what I’ve been saying about this conference for years,” Searle said.