ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Kallyn Newport was voted to the South Atlantic Conference third team by the league's head coaches, announced by SAC office on Wednesday (Apr. 26). TU has had at least one player named to an all-conference dating back to 2011 (with the COVID year not included).
Additionally, Tusculum and Newberry tied with 1.76 doubles per game over the course of the regular season, ranked 19th nationally. Individually, Sammy Jimenez notched 0.12 triples per game to claim the statistical championship, 39th across Division II.
As one of three Pioneers to start all 49 games, Newport finished the year leading the team in at bats (166), hits (60), doubles (17), sacrifice bunts (6), and steals (23). All ranked within the top-five in the SAC, while the at bats and steals took the top spot in the league. Her two-baggers are enough for 15th across DII. The in-state Seymour native also contributed a team-best 38 runs, adding a triple, two homers, seven walks, two sacrifice flies, and was hit by two pitches. Defensively, Newport totaled 79 putouts and two assists as the TU senior center fielder.
Newport finished the season with 18 multi-hit games and five with multiple RBI. She had a hit and reached base streak of 10 games.
The Pioneers finished the 2023 season with a 24-25 (9-15 SAC) record, sitting 10th in the standings. TU has collected 20+ wins in 12-straight campaigns, excluding the shortened COVID season. This spans the entirety of head coach Julie Huebner's tenure as well.
2023 SAC Softball All-Conference
All-SAC First Team
OF – SieAnna Cameron, Carson-Newman
OF – Cassidy Wall, Lenoir-Rhyne
OF – Kaylan Brown, Lenoir-Rhyne
1B – Kayson Boatner, Anderson
2B – Savanna Brooks, Wingate
SS – Katelyn Rackard, Lenoir-Rhyne
3B – Talon LaClair, Lenoir-Rhyne
DP – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
UTL/Non-P – Macey Hughes, Carson-Newman
UTL/P - Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne
C – McKenzie Henry, Lincoln Memorial
P – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
P – Avery Adkins, Emory & Henry
All-SAC Second Team
OF – Kaylee Hobgood, Wingate
OF – Madison Henry, Lincoln Memorial
OF – Ariana Fair, Coker
1B – Santana Anderson, Limestone
2B – Carmen Holt, Carson-Newman
SS – Heaven Maness, Wingate
3B – Ragan Liles, Wingate
DP – Mackenzie Turner, Newberry
UTL/Non-P – Katie Wilbur, Limestone
UTL/P - Riley Tucker, Catawba
C – Molly Mattas, Newberry
P – Raechel Cutcher, Wingate
P – Olivia Chestnut, Newberry
All-SAC Third Team
OF – Leah Evans, Newberry
OF – Mackenzie Williams, Emory & Henry
OF – Kallyn Newport, Tusculum
1B – Lora Beth Wood, Lenoir-Rhyne
2B – Julia Mardigian, Lenoir-Rhyne
SS – Brianna Gallagher, Catawba
3B – Madison Chappell, Limestone
DP – Katie Tuggle, Lincoln Memorial
UTL/Non-P – Hannah Stevens, Wingate
UTL/P - Carson Hobbs, Anderson
C – Raelynn Kramer, Wingate
P – Alexandra Baquie, Catawba
P – Emma Frost, Lincoln Memorial
Freshman of the Year
Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
Player of the Year
Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman
Pitcher of the Year
Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne
Coach of the Year
Jamie Stanclift, Wingate
SAC Statistical Champions
Team Batting Average – Lenoir-Rhyne (.359)
Team Slugging Percentage – Lenoir-Rhyne (.576)
Team On-Base Percentage – Lenoir-Rhyne (.426)
Team Runs Scored Per Game – Wingate (6.92)
Team Home Runs Per Game – Lenoir-Rhyne (1.39)
Team Triples Per Game – Carson-Newman (0.29)
Team Doubles Per Game – Newberry & Tusculum (1.76)
Team Stolen Bases Per Game – Carson-Newman (1.55)
Team ERA – Wingate (2.25)
Team Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio – Mars Hill (3.89)
Batting Average – Riley Tucker, Catawba (.465)
On-Base Percentage – Kara Long, UVA Wise (.529)
Slugging Percentage – Kayson Boatner, Anderson (.920)
Home Runs Per Game – Kayson Boatner, Anderson (0.37)
RBIs Per Game – Hannah Davis, Newberry (1.23)
Runs Scored Per Game – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman (1.38)
Triples Per Game – Sammy Jimenez, Tusculum (0.12)
Doubles Per Game – Riley Tucker, Catawba (0.42)
Stolen Bases Per Game – Ariana Friar, Coker (0.51)
ERA – Sydney Kale, Wingate (1.64)
Strikeouts Per Seven Innings – Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne (9.8)
Pitching Victories – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne (19)
