Softballers Lance, Kelley land on preseason All-SAC second team
Carson-Newman first baseman Caitlyn Lance (East Ridge, Tenn.) and third baseman Sara Kelley (Birchwood, Tenn.) have been named to the preseason All-South Atlantic Conference second team.
Lance made the 2012 postseason All-SAC second team, while Kelley’s appearance is her first in an Eagle uniform.
Lance, a 5-6 junior, was second on C-N last season in batting average, hitting .366 for the year. She led the Eagles in slugging at .596. Those tallies were good for ninth in the SAC last season.
“I’m just looking to improve by making sure I get on base,” Lance said. “I know we’ve got girls who can bring us in behind me. It makes it way easier on our hitters that we’ve got girls like Sara and Bri Shoemake (Ooltewah, Tenn.) in the order who can drive runs in.”
Lance got on base 45 percent of the time in 2012, tops on the team and seventh in the league.
Kelley meanwhile comes into her junior year off a 2012 campaign where she batted .316, but led C-N in home runs with nine and total bases with 97.
She made eight errors while playing the hot corner, leading to a .952 fielding percentage.
“We’ve been working hard in the cage and practice,” Kelley said. “My team’s behind me and I’m behind them. I’m excited to see what we can do this season.”
Carson-Newman opens the season Saturday with a doubleheader against Belmont Abbey at 1 p.m. at the Lady Eagle Softball Complex. Coverage is available on the Coca-Cola Eagle Sports Network online at cneagles.com.
