Francis Marion Tops Conference Carolinas Softball Preseason Poll
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)