Lenoir-Rhyne Picked To Win 2008 SAC Softball Title

ROCK HILL, SC - Lenoir-Rhyne College, which has won the South Atlantic Conference softball championship for the past two years, is the favorite to win its third straight league title, the conference announced today.

The Bears, under the direction of coach Shena Hollar, received five first-place votes and 59 total points in the poll of the league's eight head coaches.

The Bears placed five on the preseason All-Conference team, which was also announced. All five were named to the first team, including returning the 2007 SAC Player of the Year in catcher Karie Pushard and Pitcher of the Year in Meredith O'Connor. Joining them on the preseason All-Conference team are first baseman Leah Krohn and outfielders Taylor Queen and Brittany Cherry.

Carson-Newman College is the pick to finish second with 51 points. The Eagles, who have won a league-best 13 conference softball titles, will be looking for their first conference championship since 2005.

The Eagles also placed five on the preseason All-Conference team, including pitcher Stephanie Templeton and third baseman Jessica Howard on the first team.

Wingate University, which has finished second in the league standings for five straight years, is the pick to finish third. The Bulldogs received one first-place vote and 45 total points.

Wingate placed three on the preseason All-Conference team. Hallie Pettigrew at third base, outfielder Heather Winchester and utility player LaRonda McClain were all named to the second team.

Newberry College is the pick to finish in fourth place. The Indians received one first-place vote and picked up 37 total points.

Utility player Sara Powell was a first-team preseason All-Conference selection for the Indians.

Catawba College received 32 points to finish fifth in the poll, but the Indians did pick up one first-place vote.

The Catawba Indians start the year with four preseason All-Conference selections. Second baseman Allie Marshall, the 2007 SAC Freshman of the Year, is joined on the first team by shortstop Kathryn Geouge and outfielder Jessie Whitesides.

Mars Hill College is close behind, coming in sixth with 31 total points. The Lions placed three on the preseason All-Conference second team. Leading the Eagles this year will be catch Kristina Osborn, pitcher Tiffany Farthing and outfielder Tiara Mitchell.

Lincoln Memorial University is seventh in the poll with 25 points.

Tusculum College rounds out the preseason poll.

The 2008 season opens Saturday with Lincoln Memorial, Newberry and provisional member Brevard all in action

The 2008 Food Lion SAC softball tournament will be April 17-20 at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C.

2008 SAC SOFTBALL COACHES POLL RESULTS

Pl. School (1st Place votes) Pts.
1. Lenoir-Rhyne 5 59
2. Carson-Newman 51
3. Wingate 1 45
4. Newberry 1 37
5. Catawba 1 32
6. Mars Hill 31
7. Lincoln Memorial 25
8. Tusculum 8

2008 Preseason Softball All-South Atlantic Conference team

FIRST TEAM
Catcher - Karie Pushard, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher - Meredith O'Connor, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher - Stephanie Templeton, Carson-Newman
1st base - Leah Krohn, Lenoir-Rhyne
2nd base - Allie Marshall, Catawba
Shortstop - Kathryn Geouge, Catawba
3rd base - Jessica Howard, Carson-Newman
Outfield - Jessie Whitesides, Catawba
Outfield - Taylor Queen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Outfield - Brittany Cherry, Lenoir-Rhyne
Utility - Sara Powell, Newberry

SECOND TEAM
Catcher - Kristina Osborn, Mars Hill
Pitcher - Tiffany Farthing, Mars Hill
Pitcher - Jessie Armstrong, Carson-Newman
1st base - Jacqueline White, Catawba
2nd base - Whitney Hickam, Carson-Newman
Shortstop - Mandy Stevens, Carson-Newman
3rd base - Hallie Pettigrew, Wingate
Outfield - Ginna Dean, Newberry
Outfield - Tiara Mitchell, Mars Hill
Outfield - Heather Winchester, Wingate
Utility - LaRonda McClain, Wingate