Lenoir-Rhyne Softball was selected to finish first in the 2021 SAC Coaches’ preseason poll announced Tuesday morning.
The Bears are coming off a 20-4 2020 season, a year that saw a win at #16 North Georgia and a thrilling extra-inning win against #1 Young Harris before it was cut short due to COVID-19.
The Bears received seven of the 13 first-place votes and finished with 146 points, while 2020 preseason favorite Lincoln Memorial finished with three first place votes and 140 points. Carson-Newman (1) and Anderson (2) received the other first-place votes.
Additionally, Morgan Beeler, Talon LaClair, Kylee Leonhardt and Savannah Moorefield were selected to the Preseason All-SAC First Team and Lauren Rakes was selected to the Preseason All-SAC Second Team. Rakes and Beeler led the Bears in the circle last year. Beeler finished the year 9-1 with a 2.69 ERA including her first career no-hitter in her last game vs Queens. Rakes had a 9-3 record with a 2.66 ERA and also added six HRs and 20 RBIs at the plate for the Bears.
Moorefield, Leonhardt, LaClair were a dangerous trio last year at the top of the Bears lineup, Moorefield hit .481 with 30 runs scored leading off for the Bears and had the game-winning hit against #1 Young Harris in extra innings. Leonhardt clubbed 10 homeruns last year, moving her into 10th place in program history heading into her senior year, while LaClair hit .474 with seven HR and 23 RBIs.
LR opens their season at home on Sunday February 7th with a double-header against Chowan. First Pitch will be at 12:00 PM.
2021 South Atlantic Conference Softball Preseason Poll
Rank School (1st place votes) Points
1 Lenoir-Rhyne (7) 146
2 Lincoln Memorial (3) 140
3 Carson-Newman (1) 134
4 Anderson (2) 126
5 Wingate 105
6 Newberry 102
7 Coker 77
8 Queens 72
9 Limestone 66
10 Tusculum 58
11 Catawba 55
2021 South Atlantic Conference Softball
Preseason All-Conference
All-SAC First Team
OF – Savannah Moorefield, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – McKenzie Barneycastle, Newberry
OF – Chloe Pelham, Coker
1B – Haley Simonds, Newberry
2B – Ty-Kella Goins, Lincoln Memorial
SS – Talon LaClair, Lenoir-Rhyne
3B – Hannah Towery, Newberry
3B – Kaylee Jones, UVA Wise
DP – Kayson Boatner, Anderson
UTL – Aubrey Reep, Wingate
C – Kylee Leonhardt, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Isabelle Mullen, Coker
All-SAC Second Team
OF – Haley Caldwell, Carson-Newman
OF – Anna Alloway, Tusculum
OF – Sam Hogan, Wingate
1B – Alexis Grampp, Tusculum
2B – Brittney Franse, Tusculum
SS – Sierra Hucklebee, Lincoln Memorial
3B – Emma Webb, Lincoln Memorial
DP – McKenzie McCullen, Queens
UTL – Lacie Rinus, Carson-Newman
C – KaraLynne Levi, Carson-Newman
P – Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – McKenna Falwell, Virginia-Wise