Rock Hill, S.C. – Anderson University softball team has been picked to finish second in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released on Wednesday.

Lincoln Memorial (153) earning nine first place votes was voted as the preseason favorite, while Anderson (145) tallied four first place votes and was selected second. Lenoir-Rhyne (122) was slotted third.

Carson-Newman (119) was picked to finish fourth, followed by Wingate (111) in fifth place. Tusculum (94) was picked sixth, while Catawba (82) and Newberry (82) occupied the seventh position together.

UVA Wise (68) and Limestone (68) were both slotted in ninth place with Coker (49), Mars Hill (43) and Queens (34) rounded out the poll.

Super Senior Duncan earned All-SAC First Team a season ago after posting a 14-5 overall record for the Black and Gold. The native of Tolono, Ill. pitched a team-high 136 innings, striking out 110 batters and posting a 2.32 ERA. For the season, Duncan ranked tied-2^nd in the SAC in overall wins, fourth in ERA and seventh in total strikeouts.

Boatner was named to the All-SAC First Team as a first baseman. The native of Phenix City, Ala. batted a regular season team-high .412 with seven doubles, 12 (14) home runs, slugging percentage of .773 (.750) and 27 (29) RBI. For the season, Boatner ranked fourth in the SAC in batting average and tied for second in total home runs.

Both Duncan and Boatner were also named to the D2CCA All-Southeast Region Second Team and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Second Team.

Anderson opens its 2022 campaign on Feb. 1^st at USC Beaufort. First-pitch is slated for 1 pm.

2022 Softball Preseason Poll

Rank School (First Place Votes) Points

1 Lincoln Memorial (9) 153

2 Anderson (4) 145

3 Lenoir-Rhyne 122

4 Carson-Newman 119

5 Wingate 111

6 Tusculum 94

T7 Catawba 82

T7 Newberry 82

T9 UVA Wise 68

T9 Limestone 68

11 Coker 49

12 Mars Hill 43

13 Queens 34

2022 SAC Softball Preseason All-Conference

All-SAC First Team

OF – Savannah Moorefield, Lenoir-Rhyne

OF – Macey Hughes, Carson-Newman

OF – Madison Henry, Lincoln Memorial

1B – Kayson Boatner, Anderson

2B – Katie Wilbur, Limestone

SS – Sierra Hucklebee, Lincoln Memorial

3B – Heaven Maness, Wingate

DP – McKenna Falwell, UVA Wise

UTL/Non-P – Kylee Leonhardt, Lenoir-Rhyne

UTL/P - Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne

C – McKenzie Henry, Lincoln Memorial

P – Emma Frost, Lincoln Memorial

P – Harlie Duncan, Anderson

All-SAC Second Team

OF – Kelsi Scott, Coker

OF – Anna Alloway, Tusculum

OF – Mya Maddox, Tusculum

1B – Emma Webb, Lincoln Memorial

2B – Sarah Barrett, UVA Wise

SS – Leah Sohm, Carson-Newman

3B – Hannah Towery, Newberry

DP – Hailey Hill, Newberry

UTL/Non-P – Ashley Parnell, Limestone

UTL/P - Emily Sappington, Tusculum

C – Chloe Freischmidt, Tusculum

P – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne

P – Alexandrea Sullivan, Newberry