Anderson Picked as South Atlantic Conference Softball Preseason Favorite; Preseason All-Conference Teams Announced
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The Anderson Trojans have been picked as the 2023 South Atlantic Conference softball preseason favorite, the league office announced today. The Trojans received seven first place votes from the conference's head softball coaches and 139 points total.
Lincoln Memorial was voted in at No. 2 with 125 total points and three first place votes, while Lenoir-Rhyne earned the No. 3 spot with 124 points and three first place votes.
Wingate placed fourth in the poll with 118 points, followed by Carson-Newman at No. 5 with 104 points and Newberry at No. 6 with 85 points.
Tusculum earned the No. 7 slot with 76 points, while Limestone earned 62 points in eighth and Coker placed ninth with 50 points. Emory & Henry came in at No. 10 with 44 points, followed by UVA Wise at No. 11 with 40 points.
Rounding out the poll is Mars Hill at No. 12 with 26 points and Catawba at No. 13 with 21 points.
In addition to the preseason coaches' poll, the SAC announced its 2023 Preseason All-Conference Teams. The first team outfield positions consisted of Carson-Newman's Mary Vandergriff, Lenoir-Rhyne's Cassidy Wall, and Lincoln Memorial's Madison Henry.
The first team infield was represented by Kayson Boatner of Anderson at first base, Julia Mardigian of Lenoir-Rhyne at second base, Hannah Whitaker of Anderson at shortstop and at third base Heaven Maness from Wingate. Also earning first team honors was Newberry's Mackenzie Turner at catcher.
In the first team pitcher's circle is Laken Maxwell representing Anderson and Lauren Rakes from Lenoir-Rhyne.
Anderson's Maddie Carpenter was voted first team designated player and Wingate's Sydney Kale was voted the first team utility player. Farley Park of Mars Hill was voted utility non-pitcher to finish off the All-South Atlantic Conference Team.
2023 Softball Preseason Poll
Rank School (First Place Votes) Points
1. Anderson (7) 139
2. Lincoln Memorial (3) 125
3. Lenoir-Rhyne (3) 124
4. Wingate 118
5. Carson-Newman 104
6. Newberry 85
7. Tusculum 76
8. Limestone 62
9. Coker 50
10. Emory & Henry 44
11. UVA Wise 40
12. Mars Hill 26
13. Catawba 21
2023 SAC Softball Preseason All-Conference
All-SAC First Team
OF – Mary Vandergriff, Carson-Newman
OF – Cassidy Wall, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – Madison Henry, Lincoln Memorial
1B – Kayson Boatner, Anderson
2B – Julia Mardigian, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS – Hannah Whitaker, Anderson
3B – Heaven Maness, Wingate
DP – Maddie Carpenter, Anderson
UTL/Non-P – Farley Park, Mars Hill
UTL/P - Sydney Kale, Wingate
C – Mackenzie Turner, Newberry
P – Laken Maxwell, Anderson
P – Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne
All-SAC Second Team
OF – Kallyn Newport, Tusculum
OF – SieAnna Cameron, Carson-Newman
OF – Mallena Wright, Newberry
1B – Macey Hughes, Carson-Newman
2B – Sarah Barrett, UVA Wise
SS – Sierra Hucklebee, Lincoln Memorial
3B – Chloe Pelham, Coker
DP – Carmen Holt, Carson-Newman
UTL/Non-P – K. Wilbur, Limestone
UTL/P - Emily Sappington, Tusculum
C – McKenzie Henry, Lincoln Memorial
P – Emma Frost, Lincoln Memorial
P – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
All-SAC Third Team
OF – Olivia Rose Wheeler, Anderson
OF – Carley Womack, Limestone
OF – Ariana Fair, Coker
1B – Sierra Brogdon, Newberry
2B – Tori Rose, Newberry
SS – Savanna Brooks, Wingate
3B – Talon LaClair, Lenoir-Rhyne
DP – Kayla Oswell, Coker
UTL/Non-P – Hannah Reeves, Wingate
UTL/P - Hali Scott, Wingate
C – Chloe Freischmidt, Tusculum
P – Raechel Cutcher, Wingate
P – Caroline Ruth, Limestone
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