Francis Marion Tops Conference Carolinas Softball Preseason Poll

1/26/2024 3:00:00 PM

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Francis Marion was picked to win its first regular season title by league softball head coaches in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll released on Jan. 26.

Francis Marion, the reigning tournament champions, garnered 164 points and nine-of-14 first-place votes in the poll while King, the two-time defending regular-season champions and 2023 tournament runner-up, was picked second with 159 points and the five remaining first-place tallies. Emmanuel was picked third with 140 points with Mount Olive (118 points) and Barton (100 points) rounding out the top five.

Conference newcomer Young Harris was picked sixth with 95 points followed by UNC Pembroke (86), Belmont Abbey (82), North Greenville (81), Lees-McRae (78), Erskine (63), Converse (46), Southern Wesleyan (33) and Chowan (29).

The regular season begins on Thursday, Feb. 1 with the conference championship slated for April 25-28 at Tyger River Park in Duncan, South Carolina.

2024 Conference Carolinas
Softball Preseason Poll

School	Total (First Place)
Francis Marion	164 (9)
King	159 (5)
Emmanuel	140
Mount Olive	118
Barton	100
Young Harris	95
UNC Pembroke	86
Belmont Abbey	82
North Greenville	81
Lees-McRae	78
Erskine	63
Converse	46
Southern Wesleyan	33
Chowan	29

2024 Conference Carolinas Softball
Players to Watch

Barton

Miranda Holmes, RHP, Sr., Godwin, North Carolina (2023 Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team; 2022 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Kandyce Condrey, OF, Sr., High Point, North Carolina
Sydney Wade, C, Sr., Farmville, North Carolina

Belmont Abbey

Hallie Mele, SS, Sr., Dallas, North Carolina (2023 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Adison Yoder, RHP, Sr., Newton, North Carolina (2023 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Mackenzie Allison, 1B, Sr., High Point, North Carolina

Chowan

Mckenzie Misenheimer, OF, So., Rockwell, North Carolina
Haleigh Reid, INF, Gr., Colonial Heights, Virginia

Converse

Victoria Dichio, LHP/OF, So., Crawfordville, Florida
Madison Sheadel, 1B, Fr., Central Point, Oregon
Riley Lingerfelt, RHP, Jr., Welcome, North Carolina

Emmanuel

Maddie Edwards, P, Sr., Lakeland, Florida (2023 Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-Conference Carolinas, NFCA Second Team All-Southeast Region)
Alyssa Adams, INF, Sr., Orange Park, Florida (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Jaryn Gibson, 3B/1B, Jr., Lawrenceville, Georgia (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas)

Erskine

Kyndall Chandler, OF, Sr., Asheville, North Carolina (2023 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Kaley Ingle, P, Jr., Stoneville, North Carolina
Brooke Patterson, 1B, Jr., Hanahan, South Carolina (2023 Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team)

Francis Marion

Makayla Cuthbertson, INF, Sr., Indian Trail, North Carolina (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas, D2CCA and NFCA First Team All-Southeast Region)
Jenna Walling, RHP, So., Johns Island, South Carolina (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Taylor Watford, 1B, Sr., Lamar, South Carolina (2023 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas, D2CCA Second Team All-Southeast Region, Conference Carolinas All-Defensive Team, Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team)

King

Jessica Campbell, OF, Sr., Graysville, Tennessee (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas, D2CCA and NFCA Second Team All-American, D2CCA and NFCA First Team All-Southeast Region, Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team)
Nikole Counts, P, Sr., Clintwood, Virginia (2023 Conference Carolinas All-Defensive Team; 2022 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas, Conference Carolinas Tournament MVP; 2021 First Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Haylee Dye, OF, Sr., Bristol, Virginia

Lees-McRae

Hannah Foster, OF, Sr., Orange Park, Florida (2022 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Lauren Ritchie, 1B, Sr., China Grove, North Carolina
Lonna Addison, P, Fr., Salisbury, North Carolina

Mount Olive

Courtlynn Cooney, OF, Sr., Mechanicsville, Maryland (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas, D2CCA Second Team All-American, D2CCA and NFCA First Team All-Southeast Region, Conference Carolinas All-Defensive Team; 2022 First Team All-Conference Carolinas; 2021 First Team All-Conference Carolinas, Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team)
Kylie Emanuele, INF, Sr., Corona, California (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas, D2CCA Second Team All-Southeast Region; 2022 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference Carolinas; 2021 First Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Cana Shrock, INF/C, Sr., Nashville, North Carolina (2021 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas, Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team)

North Greenville

Lexis Wilkinson, OF, Jr., Indian Land, South Carolina (2023 First Team All-Conference Carolinas, NFCA Second Team All-Southeast Region)
Karley Green, RHP, So., Cowpens, South Carolina (2023 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas)
Ali Hartin, 1B, So., Travelers Rest, South Carolina (2023 Second Team All-Conference Carolinas)

Southern Wesleyan

Olivia Haag, RHP/OF, So., Buford, Georgia
Addi Johnson, SS, Sr., Williamston, South Carolina
Amberly Way, RHP, Fr., Sumter, South Carolina

UNC Pembroke

Summer Bullard, RHP, So., Pembroke, North Carolina
Jai Deese, INF, Gr., Pembroke, North Carolina
MaKenna Sibbett, INF, R-Jr., Randleman, North Carolina

Young Harris

Hannah Carey, INF, Sr., Huntsville, Alabama (2023 Second Team All-Peach Belt Conference)
Grace Young, RHP/UTL, Jr., Snellville, Georgia
Gracie Hughes, RHP/INF., So., Woodstock, Georgia (2023 Second Team All-Peach Belt Conference)