The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball team has been picked to finish third in the South Atlantic Conference Coaches’ Poll as announced by the league. Anderson was selected first while Lincoln Memorial was selected to finish second.

On top of being picked third in the league, five Bears were selected to the Preseason All-Conference team in Julia Mardigian, Lauren Rakes, Cassidy Wall, Morgan Beeler and Talon LaClair.

Mardigian, a sophomore from Mechanicsville, Va. was selected as the first-team second baseman. Mardigian hit .335 with 6 HRs and 40 RBIs in her first year on campus last spring.

Rakes, a senior from Hamptonville, N.C. was selected as one of the two first-team starting pitchers. Rakes dazzled in the circle last year going 21-5 with a ERA of 2.23 while striking out 305 hitters in 194 2/3 innings pitched. Rakes also threw her first career no-hitter against Tusculum in the first round of the SAC Tournament last May.

Wall, a sophomore from Davidson, N.C. was named as one of the first team outfielders as the sophomore is coming off winning the SAC Freshman of the Year last season as Wall hit .335 with 8 HRs and 50 RBIs in her initial season on the diamond.

Beeler, a senior from Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. was selected as a second-team pitcher. Beeler went 15-10 with a 3.10 ERA last season in the circle for the Bears.

LaClair, a graduate student from Statesville, N.C. was selected as the third team third baseman. LaClair missed all of the 2022 season with an injury but will be back in the lineup for the Bears this season. LaClair hit .394 with a HR and 19 RBIs during the 2021 season.

The Bears will open their 2023 season on the road against Lee on February 3rd then the Bears home opener with be on February 11th against West Chester.