ROCK HILL, S.C.– Anderson University Softball has been picked to finish sixth in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll while Carson Hobbs and Maddie Carpenter earn preseason honors, released by the league on Wednesday morning.

After a challenging 2023 campaign, the Black and Gold finished 28-20 overall and 12-12 in conference play. Despite losing some tremendous athletes, Anderson has assembled a team that can compete for the SAC championship and beyond.

Earning SAC preseason honors were sophomore pitcher/utility Hobbs and junior outfielder Maddie Carpenter.

A season ago, Hobbs was honored by landed on the SAC Third Team as a pitcher/utility player. As a pitcher, Hobbs made 19 starts with 29 appearances and posted an overall record of 12-7 (1 sv), pitching over 135 innings. At the plate, Hobbs batted .347 with six doubles and 15 RBI.

Carpenter played in 47 games last season, batting .320 with six doubles, three triples and four home runs. As an outfielder, she boasted a 1.000 fielding percentage after being credited with 34 total chances.

Wingate (143) earned eleven first place votes was voted as the preseason favorite, while Lenoir-Rhyne (129) was selected second. Lincoln Memorial (112) was slotted third, picking up two first place votes.

Carson-Newman (108) was picked to finish fourth, followed by Emory & Henry (99) in fifth place. Anderson (84) was slotted sixth, while Catawba and Newberry (82) were tied for seventh.

Limestone (53) and Tusculum (47) were slotted in the ninth and tenth place, respectively. Coker (37), Mars Hill (19), UVA Wise (19) rounded out the poll.

2024 Softball Preseason Poll

2024 SAC Softball PRESEASON All-Conference

All-SAC First Team

OF – Kaylee Hobgood, Wingate
OF – Cassidy Wall, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – Kaylan Brown, Lenoir-Rhyne
1B – Santana Anderson, Limestone
2B – Savanna Brooks, Wingate
SS – Katelyn Rackard, Lenoir-Rhyne
3B – Ragan Liles, Wingate
DP – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
UTL/Non-P – Macey Hughes, Carson-Newman
UTL/P - Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne
C – Raelynn Kramer, Wingate
P – Raechel Cutcher, Wingate
P – Olivia Chestnut, Newberry

All-SAC Second Team

OF – Mackenzie Williams, Emory & Henry
OF – Madison Henry, Lincoln Memorial
OF – Ariana Fair, Coker
1B – Lora Beth Wood, Lenoir-Rhyne
2B – Julia Mardigian, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS – Heaven Maness, Wingate
3B – Sterre den Duijn, Lincoln Memorial
DP – Mackenzie Turner, Newberry
UTL/Non-P – Katie Wilbur, Limestone
UTL/P - Riley Tucker, Catawba
C – Mackenzie Turner, Newberry
P – Alexandra Baquie, Catawba
P – Emma Frost, Carson-Newman

All-SAC Third Team

OF – Leah Evans, Newberry
OF – Claire Smeltzer, Tusculum
OF – Maddie Carpenter, Anderson
1B – Sierra Brogdon, Newberry
2B – Abigail Street, Emory & Henry
SS – Brianna Gallagher, Catawba
3B – Hailey Hill, Newberry
DP – Katie Tuggle, Lincoln Memorial
UTL/Non-P – Hannah Stevens, Wingate
UTL/P - Carson Hobbs, Anderson
C – Sammy Jimenez, Tusculum
P – Sydney Kale, Wingate
P – Emily Sappington, Tusculum