The South Atlantic Conference Announces 2015 Softball Preseason Poll & All-Conference
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The 25th-ranked Wingate softball team has been chosen first in the South Atlantic Conference's annual preseason poll, as voted by the League's head coaches, it was announced today by the League office. The Bulldogs picked up seven first-place votes from the panel and 122 points.
Anderson placed second in the poll with three top-votes and 120 points, ahead of Lenoir Rhyne, who picked up one first-place vote and 119 points. Tusculum, who notched one first-place vote and Carson-Newman tied for the No. 4 slot with 89 points a-piece. At No. 6 was Catawba with 86 points, while Lincoln Memorial finished at No. 7 with 82 points. Mars Hill was eighth as the Lions notched 64 points. Brevard's 43 points was good for No. 9, ahead of 10th-place Queens, who posted 38 points. Coker (37 points) and Newberry (35 points) finished up the poll.
The South Atlantic Conference also announced its preseason All-South Atlantic Conference teams on Thursday. The first-team infield was represented by catcher Taylor Laskey of Wingate, first baseman Sydney Landreth of Lenoir-Rhyne, second baseman Mellena Helms from Wingate, shortstop Kaytlin Stroinski of Tusculum and Mars Hill's Robyn Stanek at third base.
The three first-team outfield positions consisted of Kristen Stinnard from Catawba, Anderson's Molly Child and Taylor Rosenbalm from Queens.
In the pitchers circle, Maryann Hoskins represented Lenoir-Rhyne on the first-team as she was joined by Stacey Houser from Wingate.
Ashley Oliver from Lenoir-Rhyne was voted the first-team designated player, while Lincoln Memorial's Amanda Snow was voted the first-team utility player.
The South Atlantic Conference softball season gets underway on Saturday, Jan. 31. The 2015 South Atlantic Conference Softball Championship will take place April 23-26 at Byerly Park in Hartsville, S.C.
Poll
| Rank | Team (First-Place Votes) | Points |
| 1. | Wingate (7) | 122 |
| 2. | Anderson (3) | 120 |
| 3. | Lenoir-Rhyne (1) | 119 |
| 4. | Tusculum (1) | 89 |
| Carson-Newman | 89 | |
| 6. | Catawba | 86 |
| 7. | Lincoln Memorial | 82 |
| 8. | Mars Hill | 64 |
| 9. | Brevard | 43 |
| 10. | Queens | 38 |
| 11. | Coker | 37 |
| 12. | Newberry | 35 |
All-SAC First Team
C – Taylor Laskey, Wingate
1B – Sydney Landreth, Lenoir-Rhyne
2B – Mellena Helms, Wingate
SS – Kaytlin Stroinski, Tusculum
3B – Robyn Stanek, Mars Hill
OF – Kristen Stinnard, Catawba
OF – Molly Child, Anderson
OF – Taylor Rosenbalm, Queens
DP – Ashley Oliver, Lenoir-Rhyne
UTIL. – Amanda Snow, Lincoln Memorial
P – Maryann Hoskins, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Stacey Houser, Wingate
C – Sarah Kenley, Lenoir-Rhyne
1B – Ashlee Ellen, Coker
2B – Jessica Neidigh, Anderson
SS – Alexis, Burrell, Wingate
3B – Katherine Shumaker, Catawba
OF – Elayna Siebert, Carson-Newman
OF – Courtney Czentnar, Anderson
OF – Carolyn Williamson, Tusculum
DP – Casey Whitaker, Brevard
UTIL. – Jamie Booze, Mars Hill
P – Carley Tysinger, Catawba
P – Lauren Rudesheim, Anderson