Lenoir-Rhyne Picked To Win 2007 Softball Championship

ROCK HILL, SC - Lenoir-Rhyne College, the 2006 South Atlantic Conference softball champions, is picked to defend their league crown, according to a vote of the league's head coaches.

Lenoir-Rhyne picked up seven first-place votes and 63 out of a possible 64 votes. The Bears lost in South Atlantic Regional championship in a 16-inning marathon last season and wrapped up the year ranked 17th in the nation.

The Bears placed six on the preseason All-Conference team, which was also announced. Leading Lenoir-Rhyne will be All-America pitcher Casey Hanes, the reigning SAC Pitcher of the Year. Joining Hanes on the preseason first team is outfielder Taylor Queen. Four more Bears were named to the preseason second team: Catcher Karie Pushard; pitcher Meredith O'Conner; Leah Krohn, first base; and Angela Beard, utility.

Wingate University is picked to finish second, receiving one first-place vote and 55 total points. The Bulldogs return plenty of talent from last year's squad which won the 2006 Food Lion SAC Softball Tournament. Wingate also had six named to the preseason All-Conference team, with all six selected to the first team. Headlining the 2007 Bulldogs are: Catcher Mandi Chester; pitcher Ashley Green; Megan McPhail, second base; Hallie Pettigrew, third base; and outfielders Kimee Lewis and Joy Henry. Pettigrew was the 2006 SAC Freshman of the Year after finishing second in the league in batting average last year.

Carson-Newman College is picked to finish third. The Lady Eagles received 47 points. Carson-Newman placed two on the preseason All-Conference team, with Whitney Hickam named to the first team at second base and Amber Palmer named to the second team at third base.

Catawba College received 33 points in the poll to finish fourth and edged out Newberry, the fifth-place team, by one point.

Catawba had three named to the preseason All-Conference squad with Jacqueline White selected to the first team at first base. Pitcher Lindsay Ettinger and Hillary Hampton at second base were both named to the second team.

Newberry is represented on the preseason team by shortstop Courtney Lindler.

Presbyterian College is sixth in the preseason poll, picking up 26 points. The Blue Hose did place three on the preseason All-Conference team with shortstop Rachel Bailey and Ashley Ford at utility both on the first team, while outfielder Kellyn Henderson was a second-team pick.

Mars Hill College received 20 points to finish seventh. Outfielder Katie Bryden was named to the preseason All-Conference second team.

Tusculum College rounds out the poll, receiving 12 points. The Pioneers, under first-year coach Fred Gillum, placed outfielder Jenica, Fernandez on the preseason All-Conference second team.

The 2007 season opens.Saturday with Newberry traveling to Lander for a doubleheader.

The 2007 Food Lion SAC softball tournament will be April 19-22 at Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C.

2007 SAC SOFTBALL COACHES POLL RESULTS

2007 Preseason Softball All-South Atlantic Conference team

First Team
Catcher - Mandi Chester, Wingate
Pitcher - Casey Hanes, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher - Ashley Green, Wingate
1st Base - Jacqueline White, Catawba
2nd Base - Whitney Hickam, Carson-Newman
2nd Base - Megan McPhail, Wingate
Shortstop - Rachel Bailey, Presbyterian
3rd Base - Hallie Pettigrew, Wingate
Outfield - Taylor Queen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Outfield - Kimee Lewis, Wingate
Outfield - Joy Henry, Wingate
Utility - Ashley Ford, Presbyterian

Second Team
Catcher - Karie Pushard, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher - Lindsay Ettinger, Catawba
Pitcher - Meredith O'Connor, Lenoir-Rhyne
1st Base - Leah Krohn, Lenoir-Rhyne
2nd Base - Hillary Hampton, Catawba
Shortstop - Courtney Lindler, Newberry
3rd Base - Amber Palmer, Carson-Newman
Outfield - Kellyn Henderson, Presbyterian
Outfield - Katie Bryden, Mars Hill
Outfield - Jenica, Fernandez, Tusculum
Utility - Angela Beard, Lenoir-Rhyne