HARROGATE, TN - Lincoln Memorial University softball earned preseason recognition from the South Atlantic Conference this week, as the Railsplitters were selected third in the 2026 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll with 101 points.

 The poll was led by Lenoir-Rhyne in first with 130 points and nine first-place votes, followed by Wingate in second with 123 points and three first-place votes, while LMU was closely trailed by Carson-Newman with 99 points.

In addition to the team recognition, Hanna Bogoski was named to the 2026 SAC Preseason All-Conference Team. Bogoski hit .337 in 2025 with 31 hits, including six doubles and four triples, while driving in 22 runs and posting a .522 slugging percentage.

The Railsplitters also placed four student-athletes on the SAC's Players to Watch list in Reese Vivrette, Hannah McMeen, Kristin Griffin, and Anna Kate Reichter. Griffin turned in a strong 2025 season at the plate, batting .370 over 33 games with 37 hits, 23 RBI, and three home runs, while also recording 11 stolen bases. Reichter brings proven production after batting .385 in 2025 with 42 hits, six doubles, and 18 RBI across 33 games, and she owns a .334 career average with 97 hits and 42 RBI over three seasons. Vivrette has been one of LMU's most productive hitters over her career, owning a .402 career batting average with 76 hits and 34 RBI, highlighted by a .468 season in 2024 that included 59 hits and 49 runs scored. McMeen delivered an impressive performance in 2025, batting .337 with three home runs, six triples, and 22 RBI, and returns as a key piece on the left side of the infield.

The 2026 season begins this weekend in Harrogate as Lincoln Memorial hosts the Railsplitter Invitational at the Dorothy Neely Softball Complex. LMU opens play on Saturday with games against Ohio Dominican at 1:30 p.m. and Wilmington (Del.) at 4:00 p.m., before returning on Sunday to face Wilmington (Del.) at 12:30 p.m. and Ohio Dominican at 3:00 p.m.

COMPLETE SAC PRESEASON POLL:

2026 SAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Lenoir-Rhyne (9) 130

2. Wingate (3) 123

3. Lincoln Memorial 101

4. Carson-Newman 99

5. Tusculum 95

6. Anderson 79

7. Emory & Henry 74

8. Catawba 67

9. Mars Hill 53

10. Newberry 47

11. UVA Wise 30

12. Coker 26

2026 SAC Softball Preseason All-Conference

C – Lani Warren, Lenoir-Rhyne 

1B – Avery Kiger, Lenoir-Rhyne 

2B – Brooke Smith, Tusculum 

SS – Ellie Alvarez, Tusculum 

3B – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman 

OF – Kaylee Hobgood, Wingate

OF – Abby Hunter, Tusculum 

OF – Maddy Staples, Newberry 

DP – Hanna Bogoski, Lincoln Memorial 

UTL/Non-P – Brianna Gallagher, Catawba 

UTL/P – Carson Hobbs, Anderson 

P – Katie Morris, Anderson 

P – Jillian Thomas, Wingate

Players to Watch

Anderson: Shelby Bandt, Kora Kilgore, Bella Harbour 

Carson-Newman: Grace Gregory, Santana Anderson, Abbi Martin, Malyiah Smith 

Catawba: Alex Baquie, Maddy Altiers, Grace Flynn, Kate Holland 

Coker: Cheyenne Palmer, Mya Cribbs, Brooklyn Lovin, Bailee Gaskins, Lacey Hennessy 

Emory & Henry: Abigail Street, Rachel Hill, Malorie Reeves, Hannah Booth, Tristyn Tofano 

Lenoir-Rhyne: Sage Young, Autumn Joyce, Montana Honeycutt 

Lincoln Memorial: Reese Vivrette, Hannah McMeen, Kristin Griffin, Anna Kate Reichter 

Mars Hill: Maia Sholter, Bri Weimer, Sara Rexrode, Brooke Hanson, Sydney Hodges 

Newberry: Sam Clark, Maddy Staples, Peyton Little, Haidyn Campbell 

Tusculum: Sammy Jimenez, Catherine O'Donohue 

UVA Wise: Taylor Clay, Adyson Gibson, Chloe Murphy, Kaylynn Baker, Lindsey Polan 

Wingate: Lily Robbins, Lily Huneycutt, Damyia McFadden