ROCK HILL, SC – Wingate University, which won the 2003 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference softball tournament by going undefeated and had its 19-game winning streak snapped in the NCAA Tournament, has been picked to win the 2004 championship in a poll of the eight head coaches, the SAC announced today.

The Bulldogs picked up five first-place votes and 60 total points, edging out 11-time league champion Carson-Newman College.

The Lady Eagles were picked to finish second, picking up two first-place votes and 57 total votes.

Wingate placed five players on the preseason All-Conference team, which was also announced. The Bulldogs return two-time All-Conference pitcher Katie Wallace, the most valuable player of last year’s SAC Tournament. Joining Wallace on the preseason first team are first baseman/outfielder Stephanie White and third baseman Carey Bumgardner. Sarah Carleton, a first baseman, and utility player Grace Cunningham are on the second team.

Carson-Newman placed three on the preseason squad, all on the first team. Leading the way for the Lady Eagles are pitcher Megan Elliott, last year’s SAC Freshman of the Year, shortstop Erin Rutherford and outfielder Christi Hampton.

The other first-place vote went to Lenoir-Rhyne College, which received 51 total votes. The Bears, who won the SAC Tournament for three consecutive years from 2000-2002, led the way with seven preseason All-Conference selections.

Outfielders Misty Bingham and Brandi Mueller are joined by utility player Kristin Kimball on the first team, while catcher Casey Ledford and pitcher Sarah Cox are joined by Brady Horne and outfielder Karen Reames on the second team.

Presbyterian College, with first-year coach Jeff Nickerson, is picked to finish fourth with 35 points. Second baseman Amanda Teal is a first team preseason All-Conference pick.

Mars Hill College is picked to finish fourth in the poll. The Lions garnered 33 total points. Mars Hill also placed two on the preseason All-Conference team, with catcher Tessa Ashwell on the first team and third baseman Audrey Riffel on the second team.

Tusculum College came in fifth place in the poll with 21 points, followed by Catawba College with 20 points and Newberry College.

The Pioneers put three representatives on the preseason All-Conference second team: Pitcher Laura Williams, shortstop Judith St. Clair and outfielder Jessica Taylor.

Outfielder Jessica Rivera of Catawba also made the preseason All-Conference second team.

The 2004 season opens Friday when Catawba travels to compete in the North Florida Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. The 2004 Food Lion SAC softball tournament will be April 22-24 in Rock Hill, S.C.

2004 SAC SOFTBALL COACHES POLL RESULTS

2004 PRESEASON SOFTBALL ALL-SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE TEAM

First Team
Catcher – Tessa Ashwell, Mars Hill
Pitcher – Megan Elliott, Carson-Newman
Pitcher – Katie Wallace, Wingate
1st base – Stephanie White, Wingate
2nd base – Amanda Teal, Presbyterian
Shortstop – Erin Rutherford, Carson-Newman
3rd base – Carey Bumgardner, Wingate
Outfield – Christi Hampton, Carson-Newman
Outfield – Misty Bingham, Lenoir-Rhyne
Outfield – Brandi Mueller, Lenoir-Rhyne
Utility – Kristin Kimball, Lenoir-Rhyne

Second Team
Catcher – Casey Ledford, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher – Sarah Cox, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher – Laura Williams, Tusculum
1st base – Sarah Carleton, Wingate
2nd base – Brady Horne, Lenoir-Rhyne
Shortstop – Judith St. Clair, Tusculum
3rd base – Audrey Riffel, Mars Hill
Outfield – Jessica Rivera, Catawba
Outfield – Jessica Taylor, Tusculum
Outfield – Karen Reames, Lenoir-Rhyne
Utility – Grace Cunningham, Wingate