HARROGATE, Tenn. — The South Atlantic Conference released the 2012 softball preseason coaches' poll on Thursday afternoon with the Lady Railsplitters selected to finish sixth in the league. A season ago, Lincoln Memorial University finished 6-12 in the SAC and 29-24 overall.

Defending champion South Atlantic Conference champion Lenoir Rhyne narrowly missed unanimous selection to win the 2012 title as they received nine first-place votes. Carson-Newman was a distant second with 84 total points. Wingate, Catawba, and Tusculum took the next three spots, followed by the Lady Railsplitters who finished with one first-place vote and 48 total points.

LMU received a couple individual preseason nods as Railsplitter outfielder, Brianna Mulkey, was voted to the preseason All-Conference First Team. Last season, Mulkey started all 53 games and compiled a .361 average. She finished with 56 hits and a .421 on-base percentage. She led the South Atlantic Conference with 39 stolen bases which finished ten ahead of her closer competitor in that department.

Joining Mulkey on the preseason All-Conference teams, Lady Railsplitter infielder Bridget Eicher was named to the Second Team. Eicher has been a staple in the middle of the offense in her time at LMU. In her 2011 campaign, Eicher hit .295 with 29 RBIs and seven homeruns. As a power hitter, she was been extraordinary with her .496 slugging percentage.

The Lady Railsplitters kick start the 2012 season with a four-game weekend starting on February 4th as they host Bellermine University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. They will host Milligan College on February 5th at 1 p.m.

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2012 SAC Softball

Preseason Coaches' Poll

Team (1st-place votes) Points

1. Lenoir-Rhyne (9) 99

2. Carson-Newman 84

3. Wingate 77

4. Catawba 71

5. Tusculum 57

6. Lincoln Memorial (1) 48

7. Anderson 37

8. Mars Hill 34

9. Newberry 25

10. Brevard 18

2012 SAC Softball Preseason

All-Conference Team

First Team

C - Brianna Shoemake, Carson-Newman

P - Mary Shealy, Carson-Newman

P - Dawon Millwood, Lenoir-Rhyne

1B - Jessica Fellmeth, Lenoir-Rhyne

2B - Carlee Carpenter, Lenoir-Rhyne

SS - Abby Child, Anderson

3B - Natalie Haithcox, Mars Hill

OF - Brianna Mulkey, Lincoln Memorial

OF - Jody Mizelle, Lenoir-Rhyne

OF - Kim Whaley, Carson-Newman

Utility - Kayla Myers, Catawba

DP - Amber Duncan, Anderson

Second Team

C - Brittany Barrineau, Wingate

P - Emily Huneycutt, Catawba

P - Elizabeth Johnson, Tusculum

1B - Allison Justice, Catawba

2B - Ashley Roof, Newberry

SS - Bridget Eicher, Lincoln Memorial

3B - Haily Jarman, Lenoir-Rhyne

OF - Ashley McCurry, Mars Hill

OF - Ashley Burke, Tusculum

OF - Brittany Fowler, Brevard

Utility - Chelsi Mallory, Brevard

DP - Emily Boykin, Brevard