ROCK HILL, S.C. – The South Atlantic Conference's softball coaches have picked the Carson-Newman softball program fourth in the league's annual coaches poll released Tuesday.
The Eagles and Catawba each received 86 points, including a first place vote. Lenoir-Rhyne was picked first, Anderson second and Wingate third. The Bears garnered seven first place votes, while Anderson brought in three.
C-N returns the conference's player of the year in Brittany Hefner (Talbott, Tenn.). The senior belted in a SAC and school record 75 RBI a year ago.
The Eagles return most everything from last season's 30-18 club. Gone is All-American catcher Bri Shoemake and utility slugger Cassie Elliot. However, the Eagles return 81 percent of their run production from last season.
Carson-Newman has five players back (Hefner, Kelli Hensley, Elayna Siebert, Sara Kelley and Braleigh Angel) who hit better than .300 last year. Two others, Caitlyn Lance and Jessica Morgan, are back after seasons where they hit better than .285.
Last year, the Eagles were picked fourth in the preseason and finished the year in a tie for third.
1. Lenoir-Rhyne 127 (7)
2. Anderson 114 (3)
3. Wingate 104
4. Catawba 86 (1)
Carson-Newman 86 (1)
6. Tusculum 83
7. Lincoln Memorial 54
8. Mars Hill 52
9. Queens 46
10. Coker 35
11. Newberry 23
12. Brevard 12
