ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Tusculum University softball team has been picked to finish 10th in the preseason coaches’ ballot, the South Atlantic Conference announced Wednesday (Jan. 24) morning. Three Pioneers were selected to the third team all-conference ticket: Sammy Jimenez, Emily Sappington, and Claire Smeltzer.
The Pioneers received 47 total points in a vote of the conference’s 13 head coaches. Nationally-ranked Wingate took the top spot with 143 points, including 11 first place votes. Lenoir-Rhyne (129) and Lincoln Memorial (112) were next as the latter Railsplitters collected the final two first place nods. Carson-Newman was picked fourth with 108 tallies, followed by Emory & Henry (99), and Anderson (84). Catawba and Newberry were tied at seventh with 82 points, ahead of Limestone (53), and Tusculum. Rounding out the poll were Coker (37), Mars Hill (19), and UVA Wise (19).
Going into her 12th year as the Pioneer head coach, Julie Huebner has the 300-win milestone in sight. Sitting at 267 victories, the second-winningest mentor in program history has a roster built of 11 returners, six transfers, and four freshmen.
The Pioneers start the 2024 season at the USC Beaufort Tournament (Feb. 2-3), joined by Erskine and the hosting Sand Sharks in a two-day round robin. Tusculum’s home opener is soon after, a doubleheader with Concord on February 6.
