ROCK HILL, S.C. --- The Tusculum University softball team has been picked to finish seventh in the preseason coaches' ballot, the South Atlantic Conference announced Wednesday (Jan. 25) morning. Three Pioneers were selected to the preemptive all-conference ticket: Kallyn Newport (2nd), Emily Sappington (2nd), and Chloe Freischmidt (3rd).

A native of in-state Seymour, Newport played in 41 games as TU's left fielder. In 115 at-bats as a junior, she totaled 35 hits (six for extra bases), 28 runs, 21 runs batted in, 11 walks, and eight stolen bases, all on a .257 batting average, .331 on-base percentage, and slugged .327. Additionally, Newport laid down three sacrifice bunts, knocked a sacrifice fly, and was hit by a pitch. In the field, she collected 67 putouts and four assists in 72 chances for a .986 fielding average. The elementary education major earned Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Award and Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors.

Sappington, hailing from Ashburn, Virginia, has already had one of the most successful careers for a Tusculum pitcher after just two seasons. The lefty is only the second in recorded history to toss multiple no-hitters and needs 61 strikeouts to overtake the career lead. Additionally, she is tied for second in saves, third in shutouts, ninth in complete games, 10th in earned-run average, and 12th in innings pitched. Sappington appeared in 28 contests with 24 starts, including going the distance 22 times. She finished with an 11-12 mark with one save across 160.2 frames, totaling 50 earned runs, 173 strikeouts (TU single-season record), and 53 walks on a 2.18 ERA. As a dual threat, Sappington stepped into the box 59 times, notching 20 hits, three runs, seven RBI, and 12 walks on a .339 batting average, .444 OBP, and .441 slugging rate. She increased the Pioneer single-game strikeout record to 14, while also contributing five shutouts. The elementary education major joined Newport on the D2 ADA and Easton/NFCA scholar lists.

Freischmidt, the reigning team MVP, returns for her fifth season as the Pioneer backstop. The Naples, Florida native has her name scattered throughout the program records, including hit by pitch (t-6th), fielding percentage (t-7th), putouts (8th), home runs (9th), and slugging percentage (11th). In 2022, Freischmidt appeared in 46-of-48 games behind the plate. She collected 37 hits (third-most on the team), 25 runs, team-best 14 doubles, three homers, 29 RBI (second-most), 12 walks, and one steal across 130 at-bats. The triple major averaged .285 with a .365 OBP and .462 slugging percentage. Freischmidt did not hit into a double play as the TU catcher, while recording 273 putouts and 22 assists in 299 chances for a .987 fielding rate.

The Pioneers received 76 total points in a vote of the conference's 13 head coaches. Nationally-ranked Anderson and Lincoln Memorial claimed the top-two positions in the poll. The Trojans tallied 139 points and seven first place votes, while the Railsplitters racked up 125 points and three first place votes. Lenoir-Rhyne narrowly sits in third with 124 tallies and the remaining three first place nods. Wingate (118), Carson-Newman (104), and Newberry (85) were picked ahead of TU. Rounding out the poll were Limestone (62), Coker (50), Emory & Henry (44), UVA Wise (40), Mars Hill (26), and Catawba (21).

Going into her 11th year as the Pioneer head coach, Julie Huebner has win number 250 within reach. The second-winningest coach in program history will be in search of her second title within the last three seasons, relying on 15 returners and five newcomers.

The Pioneers will begin 2023 at the three-day UNC Pembroke Invitational (Feb. 3-5), joined by the likes of the hosting Braves, Kutztown, and West Virginia State. Tusculum won't play at home until its weekend round robin with Lees-McRae and Hillsdale (Feb. 10-11).

Starting in 2023, the South Atlantic Conference Tournament takes on a new format. The event will be played over two weekends (Apr. 28-30, May 3-4). The top four teams from each division at the end of the regular season shall qualify for the tournament and will be seeded according to the final regular season standings. The host sites for the first weekend will be the two highest seeds or division winners in a single-elimination layout, with the victors advancing to a best-of-three series.

2023 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll

2023 Softball Preseason All-Conference
All-SAC First Team
OF – Mary Vandergriff, Carson-Newman
OF – Cassidy Wall, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – Madison Henry, Lincoln Memorial
1B – Kayson Boatner, Anderson
2B – Julia Mardigian, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS – Hannah Whitaker, Anderson
3B – Heaven Maness, Wingate
DP – Maddie Carpenter, Anderson
UTL/Non-P – Farley Park, Mars Hill
UTL/P - Sydney Kale, Wingate
C – Mackenzie Turner, Newberry
P – Laken Maxwell, Anderson
P – Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne

All-SAC Second Team
OF – Kallyn Newport, Tusculum
OF – SieAnna Cameron, Carson-Newman
OF – Mallena Wright, Newberry
1B – Macey Hughes, Carson-Newman
2B – Sarah Barrett, UVA Wise
SS – Sierra Hucklebee, Lincoln Memorial
3B – Chloe Pelham, Coker
DP – Carmen Holt, Carson-Newman
UTL/Non-P – K. Wilbur, Limestone
UTL/P - Emily Sappington, Tusculum
C – McKenzie Henry, Lincoln Memorial
P – Emma Frost, Lincoln Memorial
P – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne

All-SAC Third Team
OF – Olivia Rose Wheeler, Anderson
OF – Carley Womack, Limestone
OF – Ariana Fair, Coker
1B – Sierra Brogdon, Newberry
2B – Tori Rose, Newberry
SS – Savanna Brooks, Wingate
3B – Talon LaClair, Lenoir-Rhyne
DP – Kayla Oswell, Coker
UTL/Non-P – Hannah Reeves, Wingate
UTL/P - Hali Scott, Wingate
C – Chloe Freischmidt, Tusculum
P – Raechel Cutcher, Wingate
P – Caroline Ruth, Limestone