Lions Softball Selected Ninth In Preseason Coaches Poll: Lail and Stanek Headline Preseason All-Conference
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Lenoir-Rhyne has been chosen first in the South Atlantic Conference’s softball annual preseason poll, it was announced today by the league office.
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Lenoir-Rhyne has been chosen first in the South Atlantic Conference's softball annual preseason poll, it was announced today by the league office. The head coaches gave the Bears nine first-place votes and a total of 130 points.
Carson-Newman grabbed the No. 2 slot with three first-place votes and 117 points, while Wingate was selected at No. 3 with 109 points. Catawba placed fourth in the poll with 93 points and Anderson came in at No. 5 with 91 points. Lincoln Memorial landed at No. 6 with 90 points, followed by Newberry at No. 7 with 68 points. Queens' 66 points was good for the No. 8 spot and at No. 9 was Mars Hill with 52 points. Coker placed tenth with 47 points, while Tusculum received 43 points at No. 11. Brevard rounded out the poll with 19 points.
The South Atlantic Conference also announced its preseason All-South Atlantic Conference team. The first-team outfield positions consisted of Catawba's Kristen Stinnard and Lenoir-Rhyne teammates Erin Boone and Christina Walker.
The first-team infield was represented by four Lenoir-Rhyne student-athletes. At first base was Sydney Landreth, at second base was Madison Poe, at shortstop was Madison Carter and Sarah Kenley represented the Bears at catcher. Also receiving the first team Honors was Wingate's Misty Doran at third base.
In the pitchers circle, Allison Webster represented Carson-Newman on the first-team as she was joined by Augie Pena from Anderson.
Taylor Lail of Mars Hill was voted the first-team designated player and Wingate's Katie McLaurin was voted the first-team utility player.
The South Atlantic Conference softball season gets underway on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The 2017 South Atlantic Conference Softball Championship will take place April 27-April 30 at Byerly Park in Hartsville, S.C.
Rk Team (first-place votes) Points
1. Lenoir-Rhyne (9) 130
2. Carson-Newman (3) 117
3. Wingate 109
4. Catawba 93
5. Anderson 91
6. Lincoln Memorial 90
7. Newberry 68
8. Queens 66
9. Mars Hill 52
10. Coker 47
11. Tusculum 43
12. Brevard 19
2017 South Atlantic Conference Softball
Preseason All-Conference
1st Team
OF – Erin Boone, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – Christina Walker, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – Kristen Stinnard, Catawba
1B – Sydney Landreth, Lenoir-Rhyne
2B - Madison Poe, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS – Madison Carter, Lenoir-Rhyne
3B – Misty Doran, Wingate
DP – Taylor Lail, Mars Hill
UTL – Katie McLaurin, Wingate
C – Sarah Kenley, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Allison Webster, Carson-Newman
P – Augie Pena, Anderson
2nd Team
OF – Christina Linton, Newberry
OF – Naomi Sapp, Wingate
OF – Riley Morris, Coker
1B – Ashton Whitaker, Queens
2B – Taylor Barcomb, Coker
SS – Kristen Toppel, Carson-Newman
3B – Casey Stanek, Mars Hill
DP – Katherine Shumaker, Catawba
UTL – Mackenzie Cates, Lenoir-Rhyne
C – Cailah Niles, Anderson
P – Rachel Weidner, Wingate
P – Lauren Rudesheim, Anderson
