LRU’S SCHEDULE: https://lrbears.com/schedule.aspx?path=softball
HobbsDailyReport.com
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Gaining 10 first-place votes from conference head coaches, the Lenoir-Rhyne University women’s softball team is the pick to win the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) title this season.
The Bears got 110 points and ended up ahead of Coker (91 points) and defending league tournament champion Carson-Newman (87) in the voting. Fourth-place Wingate received the other first-place vote.
The voting was released by conference officials on Wednesday.
LRU has three first-team preseason All-SAC picks – outfielder Erin Boone, third baseman Talon LaClair and pitcher Emily Kenley – and two other second-team selections, first baseman Kylee Leonhardt and pitcher Brandi Parks.
The Bears’ first game is Feb. 2 at Chowan College in a doubleheader that begins at noon.
The conference season begins on Feb. 1, and the SAC Championships are set for April 26-27 at Catawba.
SAC PRESEASON SOFTBALL POLL
(as voted on by league head coaches)
School (First-Place Votes)
1. LENOIR-RHYNE (10) 110
2. Coker 91
3. Carson-Newman 87
4. Wingate (1) 83
5. Anderson, S.C. 75
6. Queens 69
7. Newberry, S.C. 64
8. Lincoln Memorial 45
9. Catawba 32
10. Tusculum 31
11. Mars Hill 28
ALL-SAC PRESEASON TEAMS
First team
OF – Erin Boone, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – Meghan Majeski, Anderson
OF – Haley Caldwell, Carson-Newman
1B – Maria Williamson, Coker
2B – Ty-Kella Goins, Lincoln Memorial
SS – Natalie Willis, Newberry
3B – Talon LaClair, Lenoir-Rhyne
DP – Haley Simonds, Newberry
UTL – Abby Fiessinger, Carson-Newman
C – Jordan Hunt, Queens
P – Emily Kenley, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Christine Carver, Coker
P – Lacie Rinus, Carson-Newman
Second team
OF – Tori Caldwell, Newberry
OF – Sara Ingoldsby, Queens
OF – Allie Jones, Lincoln Memorial
1B – Kylee Leonhardt, Lenoir-Rhyne
2B – Sydney Ditto, Queens
SS – Ragan Broome, Mars Hill
3B – Breanna Hagerty, Anderson
DP – Aubrey Reep, Wingate
UTL – Kelsie Hocutt, Lincoln Memorial
C – Taylor Wells, Wingate
P – Brandi Parks, Lenoir-Rhyne