ROCK HILL, S.C. --- The Tusculum University softball team has been voted to finish sixth in the preseason coaches' ballot, the South Atlantic Conference announced Wednesday (Jan. 22) morning. Danielle Jason was named to the preseason all-conference second team as the designated player.

Jason, a graduate student from Olyphant, Pennsylvania, finished her first season as a Pioneer with a SAC second team nod as the DP. She played in 49 games, recorded 57 hits, 40 runs, four doubles, two triples, and an inside the park home run. Jason added 13 runs batted in, 16 walks, and a team-best 24 steals, which is tied for fifth most in a TU season. She averaged a team-leading .416 at the plate with a .484 on-base percentage (sixth-highest in a single-season), and slugged .496. Jason rounded out her stats with two hit by pitches and five sacrifice bunts to go along with 21 putouts and one outfield assist.

The Pioneers received 88 total points in a vote of the conference's 13 head coaches. The top-four teams are within a 20-point span: Wingate (138), Lenoir-Rhyne (130), Anderson (120), and Carson-Newman (118). The Bulldogs and Bears had six first-place votes each, with the Eagles claiming the final tally. Lincoln Memorial sits fifth with 94 points, followed by the Pioneers, Newberry (82), Catawba (65), and Limestone (56). Emory & Henry (42) was picked 10th, ahead of Coker (38), UVA Wise (22), and Mars Hill (21).

Going into her 13th year as the Pioneer head coach, Julie Huebner has the 300-win milestone within her grasp. Currently at 297 victories, the second-winningest mentor in program history has a roster built of 15 returners, five freshmen, and three transfers.

The Pioneers begin their 2025 season with a pair of home doubleheaders: Bluefield State (Feb. 2) and Lees-McRae (Feb. 4).

The South Atlantic Conference Tournament will remain the same in 2025, replicating the NCAA Division II Regional format. The event will be played over two weekends (Apr. 25-27, May 2-3). The top eight seeds shall qualify for the postseason event. Hosts for the first weekend are the two highest seeds in a double-elimination layout, with the victors advancing to a best-of-three series the next week.

 
2025 Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll

2025 Softball Preseason All-Conference
All-SAC First Team
OF – Kaylee Hobgood, Wingate
OF – Brianna Gallagher, Catawba
OF – Maddie Carpenter, Anderson
1B – Kary Hales, Catawba
2B – Savanna Brooks, Wingate
SS – Hayden Dye, Carson-Newman
3B – Madison Primm, Lenoir-Rhyne
DP – Carson Hobbs, Anderson
UTL/Non-P – Danielle King, Emory & Henry
UTL/P – Brianna Herring, Catawba
C – Lani Warren, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Madison Wilson, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Hali Scott, Wingate

All-SAC Second Team
OF - Leah Grimes, Mars Hill
OF – Shelby Bandt, Anderson
OF – Santana Anderson, Carson-Newman
1B –  Brooklyn Lucero, Carson-Newman
2B – Julia Mardigian, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS – Katelyn Rackard, Lenoir-Rhyne
3B – Raelynn Kramer, Wingate
DP – Danielle Jason, Tusculum
UTL/Non-P – Hannah Bogoski, Lincoln Memorial 
UTL/P – Olivia Yates, Emory & Henry
C – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
P – Lex Glemaker, Newberry
P – Alexandra Baquie, Catawba