Cobras Selected Tenth in SAC Preseason Poll; Morris and Barcomb Named All-SAC

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College softball team was tabbed as the No. 10 team in the South Atlantic Conference preseason poll, the SAC office released today.

Looking Back

The Cobras finished the 2015-16 season with 15 wins, six of which came in South Atlantic Conference play. Coker picked up season sweeps over St. Andrews, Converse, Southern Wesleyan and Brevard, along with wins over Anderson, Lincoln Memorial and Carson-Newman, all of which qualified for the South Atlantic Conference postseason tournament.

Home Cooking

The Navy and Gold excelled at the friendly confines of the Saleeby-Stokes Softball Field in 2016, going 11-10-1, batting .322 and outscoring opponents 125-87.

2017 Season Outlook

Head coach Travis McCall has assembled seven new faces to partner up with the 16 returners for this season's roster. The senior class of Tayler Barcomb, Riley Morris, Tabitha Allen and Carley Bailey will be relied upon for their veteran leadership on and off the field.

"I can't say enough about our seniors," said McCall. "They do a great job of representing us the right way and have all contributed in significant ways.

For the second-straight season, Barcomb and Morris have earned preseason All-SAC team nods, both earning second team honors. Barcomb finished last season batting .308 with 11 doubles, four home runs and 22 RBIs. Morris batted .363, with eight doubles, three home runs and 21 RBIs.

Other notable returners include Maria Williamson, Allyson High and Hannah Price, all of which saw action in 30 or more games last season. Williamson led the Cobras with 40 RBIs and eight home runs.

"Riley, Tayler and Maria will all need to play well for us to be successful," McCall stated. "Our returners are going to have to carry us because they have the experience and it is there time to replace what we lost last season."

McCall is also expecting immediate impacts from the seven new faces, which includes one junior and six freshmen.

"I think they all have a shot to see some playing time," said McCall. "They all are athletic, versatile and have the ability to contribute."

The Cobras were selected tenth in the preseason poll, with Lenoir-Rhyne earning the top spot with nine first place votes and 130 points. For the official release by the SAC, click here.

"From top to bottom there are no off days in this conference, anybody can beat anybody on any given day," said McCall.

2017 Schedule

A 56-game schedule stands in front of the Cobras, highlighted by 10 games against teams ranked in the top ten in the final regional poll of 2016 and 22 games against South Atlantic Conference opponents.

"We are going to be challenged in our non-conference schedule," said McCall. "We are playing a lot of schools from the Peach Belt Conference along with tough competition in our tournament and the Columbus State's tournament. Our non-conference schedule will prepare us for the South Atlantic Conference."

The Cobras will debut on February 4 when they travel to Southern Wesleyan University.

To view the full video interview with head coach Travis McCall, click here.