Lincoln Memorial Earns Top Spot in South Atlantic Conference Preseason Softball Poll

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Lincoln Memorial University comes in at No. 1 in the 2022 South Atlantic Conference's softball preseason poll, the league office announced today. The head coaches gave the Railsplitters nine first place votes and a total of 153 points.

Sitting at slot No. 2 and taking the remaining four first place votes is Anderson University with 145 points, while No. 3 Lenoir-Rhyne University earned a total of 122 points. Carson-Newman University placed fourth in this year's poll with a total of 119 points. Following closely behind in the No. 5 spot was Wingate University with a total of 111 points and Tusculum University at No. 6 with 94 points. Catawba College and Newberry College tied in the No. 7 with 82 points, while The University of Virginia's College at Wise and Limestone University tied at No.9 68 points. Coker University came in at No. 11 with 49 points, Mars Hill University took the No.12 slot with 43 points and rounding out the poll with 34 points is Queens University.

The South Atlantic Conference also announced its preseason first and second All-Conference teams. The first team outfield positions consisted of Lenoir-Rhyne's Savannah Moorefield, Carson-Newman's Macey Hughes, and Lincoln Memorial Madison Henry. 

The first team infield was represented by Kayson Boatner of Anderson at first base, Katie Wilbur of Limestone at second base, Sierra Hucklebee from Lincoln Memorial at shortstop and at third base Heaven Maness from Wingate. Also earning first team honors was Lincoln Memorial's McKenzie Henry at catcher.

In the first team pitcher's circle is, Emma Frost representing Lincoln Memorial and joining her is Harlie Duncan from Anderson. 

UVA Wise's McKenna Falwell was voted the first team designated player and Lenoir-Rhyne's McKenzie Henry was voted the first team utility player. Kylee Leonhardt of Lenoir-Rhyne was voted Utility Non-Pitcher to finish off All-South Atlantic Conference team.

The South Atlantic Conference softball season will kick off on Tuesday February 1, 2022.  The 2022 South Atlantic Conference Softball Championship will take place April 29-30 at Lincoln Memorial's Dorothy Neely Softball Complex. 

2022 Softball Preseason Poll

2022 SAC Softball Preseason All-Conference

All-SAC First Team

OF – Savannah Moorefield, Lenoir-Rhyne

OF – Macey Hughes, Carson-Newman

OF – Madison Henry, Lincoln Memorial

1B – Kayson Boatner, Anderson

2B – Katie Wilbur, Limestone

SS – Sierra Hucklebee, Lincoln Memorial

3B – Heaven Maness, Wingate

DP – McKenna Falwell, UVA Wise

UTL/Non-P – Kylee Leonhardt, Lenoir-Rhyne

UTL/P - Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne

C – McKenzie Henry, Lincoln Memorial

P – Emma Frost, Lincoln Memorial

P – Harlie Duncan, Anderson

All-SAC Second Team

OF – Kelsi Scott, Coker

OF – Anna Alloway, Tusculum

OF – Mya Maddox, Tusculum

1B – Emma Webb, Lincoln Memorial

2B – Sarah Barrett, UVA Wise

SS – Leah Sohm, Carson-Newman

3B – Hannah Towery, Newberry

DP – Hailey Hill, Newberry

UTL/Non-P – Ashley Parnell, Limestone

UTL/P - Emily Sappington, Tusculum

C – Chloe Freischmidt, Tusculum

P – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne

P – Alexandrea Sullivan, Newberry