Carson-Newman's Bailey Tabbed as Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman University's Macauley Bailey has been named the South Atlantic Conference Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today.

Bailey has put together one of the most decorated careers in Carson-Newman softball history while excelling in the classroom and serving her community. A psychology major with a perfect 4.00 GPA, Bailey is a two-time CSC Academic All-American and a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection. She has also earned Dean's List honors, been named a four-time Platinum Eagle Scholar and was recognized as a Hope Scholar and Presidential Scholar. In addition, Bailey was named Carson-Newman's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year during her senior season.

On the field, Bailey established herself as one of the most dominant hitters in SAC and NCAA Division II history. As a freshman, she ranked among the national leaders in RBIs, finishing with 67, while setting Carson-Newman freshman records for RBIs, home runs, longest hitting streak and slugging percentage. Her 15 home runs were the second-most in a single season in program history.

Bailey continued her offensive dominance as a sophomore, becoming the first player in school history to hit 15 home runs in consecutive seasons and just the second to produce back-to-back seasons with at least 55 RBIs. She batted .387 with 15 home runs and a conference-leading 59 RBIs while earning CSC Academic All-America honors.

During her junior campaign, Bailey earned First Team All-SAC honors after hitting .447 with career-best marks in on-base percentage (.506), slugging percentage (.893), hits (67), doubles (13), home runs (18) and RBIs (62). She became the first player in program history with three consecutive seasons of 60 or more RBIs while breaking Carson-Newman's career home run record.

Her senior season added even more milestones to an already legendary career. Bailey led the SAC with a .458 batting average while ranking among the league leaders in RBIs, hits, on-base percentage and extra-base hits. On March 26 against Milligan, she became the SAC's all-time RBI leader, surpassing Anderson's Kayson Boatner. Bailey also finished the season as the NCAA Division II active career leader in RBIs with 244 while earning First Team All-SAC honors.

Among Bailey's numerous athletic honors are SAC Player of the Year, SAC Freshman of the Year, NFCA National Freshman of the Year and multiple D2CCA/NFCA First Team All-Region and All-America selections. She was also a frequent SAC and TSWA Player of the Week honoree and earned Carson-Newman's Frosty Award for Female Athlete of the Year during both her junior and senior seasons.

Away from softball, Bailey has dedicated countless hours to service and leadership initiatives. She provides free softball lessons to underprivileged children in the Nashville area, volunteers as a coach for travel softball teams and serves as president of Carson-Newman's chapter of The Hidden Opponent, an organization focused on mental health advocacy. Bailey has also worked as a peer tutor, volunteered with local youth organizations and participated in numerous community outreach initiatives.

The SAC Scholar-Athlete Award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each Conference-sponsored sport who excels in academics, athletics, leadership and community service.

2026 SAC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year Finalists

• Kaylee Hobgood (Wingate)
• Macauley Bailey (CNU) - Winner
• Madison Primm (LRU)
• Maia Sholter (MHU)
• Nicole Couvertiere (LMU)