ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Anderson softball team has been picked to finish fifth, as the 2017 South Atlantic Conference Preseason Poll was released by the league office Wednesday afternoon.

In addition, seniors Augie Pena and Lauren Rudesheim along with junior Cailah Niles earned preseason All-SAC honors. Pena garnered first-team honors while Rudesheim and Niles earned second-team honors.

Last season, Pena (12-5) ranked fourth in the SAC in total strikeouts (153) and ERA (1.84) while ranking tied for second in saves with three. The Trojan hurler pitched a total of 125 and two thirds innings with opponent's batting a mere .195 while in the circle. The Geneva, Ala. native also batted .260 with nine doubles and six home runs for the Black and Gold.

Niles ranked first in the league in RBI (47), second in home runs (11) and third in batting average (.407). Niles also was named the SAC Statistical Champion in on base % (.503), Slugging % (.719) and RBI per game (0.98). Niles started all 48 games behind the plate, committing only one error for a (.996) fielding percentage.

Rudesheim (12-7) threw eight complete game while also recording one shut-out for the Trojans. The native of Columbus, Ga. ranked 5th in the SAC in ERA (2.10) and T-2nd with three saves. Rudesheim ranks in the top 10 in several of Anderson's all-time list taking over the Trojans all-time career wins category this past season.

The Trojans did not reach the 40—win plateau after reaching it the previous three seasons finishing 29-21 overall and 9-13 in conference action.

Anderson is anxious to get the season underway and return back to the top of the conference and see a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. Lenoir-Rhyne (130 points), last year's regular season champion was again voted as the preseason favorite while Carson-Newman (117 points) captured three first place votes and was selected second. Wingate (109 points) was third.

Reigning SAC Tournament Champions, Catawba (93 points) was picked fourth, followed by Anderson (91 points) in the fifth slot. Lincoln Memorial (90 points) was picked sixth just below Anderson. Newberry and Queens occupied the seventh and eighth spots, respectively. Mars Hill, Coker, Tusculum and Brevard rounded out the poll.

Anderson opens the season at Southern Wesleyan on Wednesday, Feb.1. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 4 p.m.

Rank 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

Preseason All-SAC

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