ATLANTA, Ga. - In the Collegiate Conference of the South softball poll, Agnes Scott was picked to finish in eighth place when the poll was released this afternoon by the conference office. The Scotties, who a year ago finished in sixth place and qualified for the postseason, will look to finish in the top six of the very competitive conference, as the top six teams qualify for the postseason.

The conference poll is led by three NCAA qualifiers from a year ago. Leading the poll was Belhaven University, who received 62 votes, including 6 first-place votes. A year ago, Belhaven made conference history by being the first team to qualify for the World Series in NCAA Division III. Huntingdon, who tied Belhaven atop the conference standings a year ago with identical 15-1 records, comes in at second with 57 votes (3 first-place votes). Maryville, who shocked both teams in the CCS Tournament a year ago and ran away with the title, were picked third. Piedmont, LaGrange, Asbury, Covenant, the Scotties, and Wesleyan finished out the poll. 

The Scotties will look to a solid returning group, including their top offensive weapon at the plate from last season, PresLee Hix, who was one of the top performers in the conference in several categories, including batting average (.415, 7th in CCS), slugging percentage (.649, 4th in CCS), on base percentage (.476, 7th in CCS), and OPS (1.125, 4th in CCS). 

On the mound, a trio of sophomores look to put their first year of experience in college softball to good use. Bryn Greenwood led the Scotties with 84.2 innings pitched in the 2024 season, registering 13 starts and fanning 45 batters. Amanda Barnes also returns, having started 7 games for the Scotties a year ago, as she struck out 21 batters and led the team in ERA (8.78). Kyra Hornsby also took the mound a year ago for the Scotties in 13 contests, starting 5. The sophomore struck out 19.

The Scotties also return several starters from a season ago, as Kenzie Beaudoin, Sadie McCallum, Bella Leonardi, and Beck Littlehale all saw significant time in the starting lineup a year ago. The Scotties also return AC Transiskus, Natalie Bains, and Jada Howard, who each saw action as starters a year ago throughout the season. Adding to the depth will be newcomers Taylor Selby (OF), Lia Faulks (OF) and Ellie Settle (IF). 

The Scotties will kick off their campaign in conference play on March 19 when they travel to preseason favorite Belhaven University.

Full Release

Belhaven Leads 2025 CCS Softball Preseason Poll After Historic Season
 
ATLANTA, Ga. (February 6, 2025) - After a record-breaking 2024 campaign that saw them finish as NCAA Division III National Runners-Up, Belhaven University softball team has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2025 Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Softball Preseason Poll. The Blazers earned 62 points and six first-place votes in the poll, as voted on by the league's nine head coaches.
 
Belhaven's 47 wins last season marked their highest total since 2011, and they dominated CCS play with a 15-1 record. Though they fell to Maryville in the CCS Championship, the Blazers secured their fourth straight NCAA Regional bid and third consecutive Super Regional appearance, culminating in their first-ever Division III World Series berth. Key returners include catcher Anna Caime, who delivered a dramatic walk-off home run against Berry to send the Blazers to the World Series. Madi Miller and Ellie Jones also return to anchor the lineup, looking to build on the offensive firepower that has propelled Belhaven's success in recent years.
 
Right on Belhaven's heels in the preseason poll is Huntingdon, which earned 57 points and three first-place votes after a program-best 33-8 record in 2024. The Hawks finished atop the conference standings and earned the right to host both the CCS Championship Tournament and an NCAA Regional. Looking to defend their spot among the league's elite, Huntingdon returns 2024 CCS Player of the Year Jordan Holman and CCS Rookie Pitcher of the Year Allie Roberts. Under the leadership of 2024 CCS Coach of the Year Casey Chrietzberg, the Hawks have their sights set on making another deep postseason run.
 
Reigning CCS Champions Maryville were picked third in the preseason poll with 51 points, aiming to defend their 2024 conference title. The Scots set program records last year with 35 wins and a .729 winning percentage, capping off their season with an undefeated CCS Tournament run and a dramatic 6-5 championship victory over Belhaven. Returning to lead the Scots is second-team all-conference slugger Paige Dickinson, who posted a .484 slugging percentage last season. With a championship pedigree and momentum from last year's historic season, Maryville remains a strong contender in 2025.
 
Selected fourth in the preseason poll with 43 points, Piedmont looks to maintain its standing after back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the CCS. The Lions finished 18-21 overall and 10-6 in conference play in 2024. Piedmont's offense will be led by senior utility player Jasmine Lowery, who topped the team in slugging percentage (.527) and RBI (25) while starting 38 games last season.
 
LaGrange enters 2025 ranked fifth with 34 points, hoping to rebound from a 13-29 record (7-9 CCS) and a tough finish to the CCS Tournament. The Panthers fought valiantly, overcoming a late 6-2 deficit against Piedmont before falling in a heartbreaking walk-off loss. Returning to lead the Panthers is junior pitcher Claire Chamberlain, who posted a 4.54 ERA—ranking eighth among CCS starters in 2024.
 
Newcomer Asbury makes its CCS debut this season, landing at No. 6 in the preseason poll with 30 points. The Eagles will look to establish themselves in conference play, led by sophomores Kaylee Korros and Katelyn Bolin, along with senior Kaitlyn Wilson.
 
Covenant rounds out the preseason poll in seventh place with 18 points, eager to exceed expectations and move up the standings. Agnes Scott College follows in eighth with 17 points, while Wesleyan finishes in ninth with 12 points.

Conference play kicks off on Friday, March 14, with several conference teams taking to the field. Follow all the CCS softball action with updated scores, schedules at standings at www.collegiateconferenceofthesouth.com.