Fastpitch

Who are the favorites to win their respective conferences this spring:
SEC
ACC
Southern
SAC
CAC
Just to name a few of the ones close to our area.

 

NAIA AAC

The 2011 Reinhardt University softball team returns 12 players from last year’s club, eight which were starters. With the addition of 2 freshman and 2 transfers, the eagles welcome back two other three-time letter winners after redshirting last season. This will give Reinhardt a lot of experience heading into the upcoming campaign.(received 54 preseason votes top 25)

The 2011 Montreat Lady Cavaliers return everyone except two from last years runner-up team. They will be led by Player of the Year Jamie Lokken and All-Conference Pitcher Rachel Stowe. With a vast amount of experience and a talented recruiting class this year’s team looks to take the next step, not only in the conference, but nationally. (received 1 preseason vote)

The 2011 Bulldogs will return 4 starters off last year’s AAC Championship team. This year’s class includes 4 Junior Colleges transfers and 10 freshman. With a combination of depth and experience, the 2011 Bulldogs should be poised for another run at the AAC Championship.


1. Reinhardt University 42 6 1st place votes
2. Montreat College 36 1 1st place Vote
3. Union College 30
4. Milligan College 27
5. Virginia Intermont 23
6. TWC 21
7. Bryan 12
8. Bluefield 6

 

Great

Good luck to ya, Lee! You always seem to get the best out of kids.

 

Alabama Predicted To Win SEC Softball Title

Updated 1/25/2011



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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- In the annual Southeastern Conference coaches preseason poll, the Alabama Crimson Tide has been predicted to win the 2011 SEC Softball title by the league coaches. Alabama is coming off of a 52-11 season and is the reigning SEC Champion. In a tight vote, the Tide led in votes with four of 11 possible, followed by Georgia and Tennessee with three each and Florida with one. In the national polls, Alabama is ranked No. 3 (ESPN.com/USA Softball) and No. 6 (USA Today/NFCA).

The No. 4/7 Tennessee Lady Vols, 2010 WCWS participants, were voted to win the Eastern Division with 17 points, in addition to receiving three votes for the overall SEC title. Another WCWS participant, the Georgia Bulldogs is predicted to finish a close second in the East with 18 points. The Bulldogs also received three first-place votes and are ranked No. 3 in the USA Today/NFCA poll and No. 4 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll. Rounding out the East are the No. 5 Florida Gators with 22 points, the Kentucky Wildcats with 37 points and the South Carolina Gamecocks with 46 points. The Gators, the third team to represent the SEC at the 2010 WCWS, also received a vote to win the overall title.

In the Western Division, No. 16/19 LSU was voted to finish second behind the Crimson Tide with 19 points, followed by Auburn with 33 points. The Arkansas Razorbacks tallied 36 points for a fourth-place vote in the division, while Mississippi State earned 46 points for fifth-place in the division. Ole Miss tallied 51 points to close out the West.

Points for the poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5 basis for the Eastern Division and on a 1-2-3-4-5-6 basis for the Western Division. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

The league will begin softball action Feb. 10. The 2011 SEC Softball Tournament will be held May 12-14 at Ole Miss Softball Complex in Oxford, Miss.

Conference Champion: Alabama (4), Tennessee (3), Georgia (3), Florida (1)

Eastern Division:
1. Tennessee (17 points)
2. Georgia (18 points)
3. Florida (22 points)
4. Kentucky (37 points)
5. South Carolina (46 points)

Western Division:
1. Alabama (10 points)
2. LSU (19 points)
3. Auburn (33 points)
4. Arkansas (36 points)
5. Mississippi State (46 points)
6. Ole Miss (51 points)

 

Coaches Select Georgia Tech To Finish Atop 2011 ACC Softball Standings Yellow Jackets Receive Seven First-Place Votes
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Jan. 26, 2011

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Georgia Tech has been chosen to win the 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference softball regular season, as voted on by the league’s eight head softball coaches. The Yellow Jackets, who claimed the 2010 regular season and tournament championships, received 49 points after collecting the maximum seven first-place votes. Coaches were not allowed to include their own team on their ballot.
Regular season and tournament runner-up Florida State was tabbed to finish second in the standings, earning 41 points. Only three points separated third and fourth place as North Carolina tallied 34 points to Virginia’s 31. The Tar Heels also received a first-place vote. Picked to finish fifth was Maryland with 26 points.
Rounding out the 2011 preseason predictions were NC State in sixth with 21 points, Virginia Tech in seventh with 15 and Boston College in eighth with seven.
Georgia Tech clinched its second consecutive ACC regular season title last season finishing the 2010 campaign with a 19-2 (.905) mark in league play. The Yellow Jackets also won their second-straight conference tournament title, defeating Florida State in the finals, 8-4, in Blacksburg, Va.
The league was represented by five teams in the 2010 NCAA Softball Championship, including Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. The five-team field matched a conference record.
Additionally, ACC teams were ranked in two national preseason softball polls released on Tuesday. In the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25, Georgia Tech is No. 17 and Florida State is No. 23. North Carolina and Maryland are receiving votes. The Yellow Jackets are also included in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll, garnering a No. 18 ranking. The Tar Heels come in at No. 25, while Florida State is receiving votes.
The 2011 ACC Softball season kicks off Thursday, Feb. 10, as NC State travels to Tampa, Fla., to take on USF. Six more league teams – Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, NC State and Virginia – take the field for the first time on Friday, Feb. 11 at various tournaments, while Virginia Tech’s season gets underway on Saturday, Feb. 12.


<img src=http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/CSTV.ACC/SPORTS.WSOFTBL.SPECREL;sect=wsoftbl;pos=story;sz=300x250;tile=1;ord=7699776426377526?">


2011 ACC Softball Predicted Order of Finish Place Team (First Place Votes) Points 2010 Record 1. Georgia Tech (7) 49 51-11 2. Florida State 41 44-18 3. North Carolina (1) 34 42-20 4. Virginia 31 34-23 5. Maryland 26 34-24 6. NC State 21 28-27 7. Virginia Tech 15 25-33 8. Boston College 7 16-33

 

Lenoir-Rhyne Picked To Win 2011 SAC Softball Title

ROCK HILL, SC – Lenoir-Rhyne University, which won the 2010 regular-season and Food Lion Tournament titles, is the favorite to win the 2011 South Atlantic Conference softball championship in a vote of the league’s head coaches, the conference announced.
Lenoir-Rhyne received eight first-place votes and 98 total points. The Bears went 15-1 in conference play last season and 53-9 overall, and advanced to the championship series of the NCAA Southeast Super Region Tournament. Lenoir-Rhyne finished the season ranked ninth in the NFCA final coaches poll.
Lenoir-Rhyne also placed six on the preseason All-Conference team, which was also announced. Shortstop Kat Rivers, the returning SAC Player of the Year and first-team All-American, is one of four Bears on the first team. Catcher Sarah Atkins, pitcher Dawon Millwood and second baseman Carlee Carpenter join Rivers on the first team. First baseman Jessica Fellmeth and outfielder Tameron Sealey were named to the second team. Rivers led the SAC in hits and home runs in 2010.
Wingate University is picked to finish second. The Bulldogs received one first-place vote and 85 total points. The Bulldogs return two of the league’s top pitchers in preseason first-team All-Conference selection Brittany Blankenship, and second-team selection Allison Smith. Designated player Emily Chavis was also a first-team preseason All-Conference selection. Blankenship was 19-8 last year with a 1.39 ERA, while Smith went 16-7 with a 1.97 ERA.
Carson-Newman College is the pick to finish third. The Lady Eagles received one first-place votes and 80 total points.
Carson-Newman placed three on the preseason All-Conference team, with utility player Mary Shealy earning first-team honors. Catcher Bri Shoemake and outfielder Leah Price were named to the second team.
Mars Hill College is picked to finish fourth with 67 total points. The Lions also had three on the preseason All-Conference team. First baseman Ashley Seawell and third baseman Natalie Haithcox were named to the first team, while, shortstop Amanda McArthur was named to the second team. Seawell led the conference with a .450 batting average in 2010.
Newberry College received 58 points for fifth place in the poll. The Wolves had three named to the preseason All-Conference team. Outfielders Chelsea Chipoletti and Aissa Gatewood were both named to the first team, while Felicia Taylor was named to the second team as a designated player.
Lincoln Memorial University is picked to finish sixth with 40 points. The Railsplitters placed two on the preseason All-Conference team in outfielder Jackie Adams and utility player Meghan LaFevor.
Catawba College was close behind with 39 points. Outfielder Carly Sabat was named to the preseason All-Conference first team. She hit .384 and scored 51 runs last year.
Brevard College and Tusculum College tied for eighth place with 30 points each.
Brevard had two preseason All-Conference players in pitcher Martika Elmore and third baseman Maddie Fletcher. Elmore led the conference in strikeouts last season.
Tusculum had one preseason All-Conference selection in Taylor McDonald at second base.
Anderson University rounds out the preseason poll with 23 points.
The 2011 softball season starts Friday, February 4 with Anderson competing in a tournament in Americus, Ga,, while Mars Hill has a pair of games scheduled in the Belmont Abbey tournament in Gastonia, N.C.
The 2011 Food Lion SAC Softball Tournament will be April 20-23 in Jefferson City, Tenn., with Carson-Newman serving as the host. The top eight finishers in the regular season will advance to the conference tournament.
2011 SAC SOFTBALL COACHES POLL
[FONT=courier new,courier,monospace]Poll 1st Points
1. Lenoir-Rhyne 8 98
2. Wingate 1 85
3. Carson-Newman 1 80
4. Mars Hill 67
5. Newberry 58
6. Lincoln Memorial 40
7. Catawba 39
8. Brevard 30
8. Tusculum 30
10. Anderson 23[/FONT]

2011 SAC SOFTBALL ALL CONFERENCE TEAM​

FIRST TEAM
Catcher – Sarah Atkins, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher – Dawon Millwood, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher – Brittany Blankenship, Wingate
1st base – Ashley Seawell, Mars Hill
2nd base – Carlee Carpenter, Lenoir-Rhyne
Shortstop – Kat Rivers, Lenoir-Rhyne
3rd base – Natalie Haithcox, Mars Hill
Outfield – Carly Sabat, Catawba
Outfield – Chelsea Chipoletti, Newberry
Outfield – Aissa Gatewood, Newberry
Utility – Mary Shealy, Carson-Newman
Designated Player – Emily Chavis, Wingate
SECOND TEAM
Catcher – Bri Shoemake, Carson-Newman
Pitcher – Martika Elmore, Brevard
Pitcher – Allison Smith - Wingate
1st base - Jessica Fellmeth – Lenoir-Rhyne
2nd base – Taylor McDonald - Tusculum
Shortstop - Amanda McArthur – Mars Hill
3rd base – Maddie Fletcher, Brevard
Outfield – Leah Price – Carson-Newman
Outfield –Tameron Sealey – Lenoir-Rhyne
Outfield –Jackie Adams – Lincoln Memorial
Utility – Meghan LaFevor, Lincoln Memorial
Designated Player – Felicia Taylor, Newberry

 

January 20, 2011 North Georgia Voted Softball Preseason Favorite




AUGUSTA, GA -- For the third straight season, the North Georgia Saints have been selected as the preseason softball favorites in a poll of Peach Belt Conference head coaches released on Thursday. The Saints were unanimous picks for the top spot, receiving all 10 first-place votes they were eligible for. Armstrong Atlantic State is second in the poll with Francis Marion in third and Augusta State in fourth. Flagler, UNC Pembroke, USC Aiken, Columbus State, Lander, Georgia College and Georgia Southwestern rounded out the voting. North Georgia was ranked #1 in the nation for 11 straight weeks in 2010, won their second straight PBC Championship, PBC Tournament title and NCAA Southeast Regional crown and advanced to the World Series. Their 51 consecutive wins set a PBC record and they have won 34 straight regular-season conference games dating back to 2009. Twelve players return from last year’s team including national Pitcher of the Year Sarah Phillips and All-America first baseman Katherine Martin.
Armstrong Atlantic State returns nine of 10 starters from last year’s 33-win team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Four All-Conference players are back including pitcher Megan Barnwell, second baseman April Jowers, shortstop Amber Janus and third baseman Baillie Temples. AASU has reached the NCAAs in four of the last five years and the 33 wins last year was the most since winning 40 in 2006.
Francis Marion reached the PBC Tournament championship game in 2010 before advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the last three seasons. The Patriots finished third in the conference standings in 2010 and had 36 total wins, their fourth straight 30+ win season. Nine letterwinners and five postion starters return for 2011 including All-Conference second baseman Ashley Jaramillo and All-PBC centerfielder Destinea Schneider.
Augusta State turned in their first 40-win season ever in 2010 and capped it with their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years. The Lady Jaguars were also second in the conference standings with a 15-5 league mark, their best league finish ever. For 2011, ASU brings back six of eight starters but must replace all three pitchers. All-PBC outfielder Kristen Jones returns along with shortstop Kacee Camp, the 2009 PBC Freshman of the Year.
The 2011 softball season begins on Feb. 4 with conference play getting underway on Feb. 12. The PBC season will conclude with the PBC Tournament April 15-17 at the Freedom Florence Complex in Florence, S.C. Only the top eight teams in the league standings will advance to tournament play.
The 2011 coaches poll is below, coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams. A team-by-team preview can be seen here.
Rank Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Total 1. North Georgia
10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 2. Armstrong Atlantic State
0 4 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 81 3.
Francis Marion
0 1 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 73 4.
Augusta State
0 3 2 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 70 5. Flagler
0 1 1 3 3 2 0 0 0 0 66 6. UNC Pembroke
0 1 0 1 3 1 3 1 0 0 54 7. USC Aiken
0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 50 8. Columbus State
0 1 0 0 0 3 2 2 2 0 42 9. Lander
0 0 1 0 0 1 2 4 2 0 37 10. Georgia College
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 4 19 11. Georgia Southwestern
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 13

 

January 26, 2011 Limestone & Queens Share Top Spot in Coaches Softball Preseason Poll


High Point, N.C.> Limestone College and Queens University of Charlotte share this year’s top position on the softball preseason poll as voted on by league head coaches. While both teams received 74 points, Queens edged out Limestone with a 6-3 advantage in first place votes. Queens University of Charlotte is poised to make the 2011 season their third in as many years to win the Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship. As the current defending tournament champions, Queens will rely heavily on its experienced players, including returning tournament MVP and Co-Pitcher of the Year Chantel Dodge. Dodge is joined by fellow pitcher Brandy Jester and the duo give Queens a dynamic pitching style that will make it hard for opponents to stop the Royals.
First-year Head Coach Miranda Ervin knows the sky is the limit in what the team can achieve this spring, “Each and every player works hard more for the team than themselves and when players do that, you know the team can be successful. These players have shown great progression from the fall season and we are ready to get out there and show the conference what we are all about.”
Limestone College amassed an impressive 14-4 record in conference play on their to their second consecutive Conference Carolinas regular season championship in 2010. The Saints who finished last season with a school record 40 wins fell just short of reaching the NCAA Tournament after falling to Queens 6-5 in 9 innings in the conference championship game.
LC returns four of their top five hitters from a season ago including junior outfielder Jenna Guse who was second on the team in batting average (.327) and led the team in steals (16). She is joined by senior catcher Hannah Mills who lead the team in batting average at .330 and by junior infielder Jordan Smith who batted .292 last season. Sophomore outfielder Kirstyn Burleson also returns after leading the team with seven home runs, 40 RBI and a .481 slugging percentage.
The Saints also return their top two pitchers from last season in senior Emily Wallace and sophomore Leah Quant. Wallace posted a 12-4 record with a team leading 1.06 ERA. She only allowed nine free passes in 125 innings pitched. Quant, who was selected as the Conference Carolinas Co-Pitcher of Year, boasted a 17-9 record with a 1.23 ERA. She finished the season with 178 strikeouts in 176.2 innings pitched.

At first glance, it would appear the Erskine College softball team would be in a rebuilding mode after graduating eight seniors from last year’s squad that included five starters and finished in second place in the league’s regular season at 14-6 and 23-23-1 overall record. But with an infusion of young talent last season, especially on the hill, the Flying Fleet are pushing toward another successful campaign for the 2011 season.
Last year freshmen pitchers Heather Richey and Kelsey Spurrier combined to go 16-10 with a 1.48 ERA, 45 walks and 164 strikeouts. Both freshmen threw a no-hitter and were named to All-Conference teams. In addition, fellow freshman Larissa Shannon earned Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year honors by hitting .336 with nine home runs and 30 runs batted in.
Mount Olive College returns two pitchers and six position players this year, including all five 2010 All-Conference Carolinas selections. Leading the way is senior shortstop and two-time all-conference selection Kelly Minshew. Also returning is first team catcher Robbin Kennedy, along with second teamers Alyssa Bradshaw (designated hitter), Aubrey Reinhard (first base) and Kristin Ware (pitcher). Bradshaw hit two home runs in last year's Conference Carolinas Tournament.
Rounding out the softball preseason poll 5-10 was: Coker & Pfeiffer (tied), Belmont Abbey, Lees-McRae, Barton, and St. Andrews respectively.

Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches Poll

(First place votes in parenthesis)
T1. Queens University of Charlotte (6) 74
T1. Limestone College (3) 74
3. Erskine College (1) 65
4. Mount Olive College 57
T5. Coker College 43
T5. Pfeiffer University 43
7. Belmont Abbey College 39
8. Lees-McRae College 27
9. Barton College 19
10. St. Andrews Presbyterian College 9

 

Charlotte 49ers picked third

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Atlantic 10 picked Charlotte softball to finish third in the conference, the league announced on Friday, after the Niners placed third in the league last season.
In 2010, the 49ers went 40-18, winning 40 games for the only the third time in school history, and compiled a 15-5 record in conference play. The 40 wins marks the third-most in school history, and the 15 league victories is the second-most all time.
Charlotte returns 12 letterwinners, including senior Whitney Williams, who set a school standard last year with 40 stolen bases. The Niners also return senior Kendra McCall, who batted a team-high .355 last season, 2010 A-10 All-Freshman team member Briana Gwaltney and senior Tenaya Tucker, who belted five home runs last year.
Massachusetts is slated to win the league for the sixth-straight season, while Fordham is picked second. Saint Joseph's sits in fourth, Saint Louis in fifth, Temple in sixth and Rhode Island in seventh. Dayton, Saint Bonaventure, La Salle and George Washington round out the list.
The Niners begin the season with the 49er Round Robin Tournament on Feb. 12-13. Charlotte will host UNC Wilmington, Virginia Tech and Iona in the opening competition. Live results will be available on charlotte49ers.com.
2011 Predicted Order of Finish
(2010 overall/A-10 record in parentheses)
1. Massachusetts (42-10-1/17-0-1) 2. Fordham (49-12/16-2)
3. Charlotte (40-18/15-5)
4. Saint Joseph's (29-18/11-7)
5. Saint Louis (30-26-1/12-7-1)
6. Temple (19-30/8-12)
7. Rhode Island (19-35/8-12)
8. Dayton(18-36-1/6-14)
9. St. Bonaventure (13-27/7-11)
10. La Salle (13-30-1/2-18)
11. George Washington (6-39/3-17)

 

Good luck

Amy and her staff have done a great job with the UNCC program and recruiting local talent to mix with out of state talent. They will miss Emily for sure but as stated have a great stable of talent.