ROCK HILL, SC - Following the deepest run in South Atlantic Conference history, the Lenoir-Rhyne softball team has been tabbed for second in the SAC for the 2025 season.
Head Coach
Shena Hollar and the Bears received six first-place votes and 130 points, just eight points behind preseason favorite Wingate. Last season the Bears finishes with a record of 52-18 (16-8 SAC) and won the SAC Tournament, won the Southeast Regional, took down North Georgia in the Super Regional, and went 2-2 a the NCAA DII Championships, advancing to the national semi-finals.
Madison Primm,
Lani Warren, and
Madison Wilson were all named to the All-SAC Preseason First Team. Primm finished last season with a .280 average, notching 49 hits, 34 runs, and finished second on the team with 15 home runs. Warren started all 67 games she played last year and finished with a .329 average with 71 hits, 46 RBI's, and 36 runs scored. Wilson was dominant on the mount last season, going 18-5 with a 3.00 ERA. In addition to her prowess on the mound, she went .366 at the plate with 49 hits and a .426 on-base percentage.
Named ot the All-SAC Preseason Second Team was
Julia Mardigian and
Katelyn Rackard. Mardigian led the Bears in multiple categories last season, including average (.419), hits (104), RBI's (67), and total bases (171). Rackard led LR with 60 runs scored and was second behind Mardigian with a .385 average and 75 hits.
The Bears open their season on the road at the Gulf Shore Tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on January 31st - February 2nd. Their first home contest will take place on Saturday, February 8th when they take on Flagler and Davis & Elkins at the McCrorie Family Stadium Grand Opening.
2025 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Wingate - 138 points (6 first-place votes)
2. Lenoir-Rhyne - 130 points (6 first-place votes)
3. Anderson - 120 points
4. Carson-Newman - 118 points (1 first-place vote)
5. Lincoln Memorial - 94 points
6. Tusculum - 88 points
7. Newberry - 82 points
8. Catawba - 65 points
9. Limestone - 56 points
10. Emory & Henry - 42 points
11. Coker - 38 points
12. UVA Wise - 22 points
13. Mars Hill - 21 points
