AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Peach Belt Conference has released the 2024 softball season preview, including the coaches preseason poll and All-Conference team. All ranking and voting was done by the league's head coaches.
Columbus State was voted second with 54 points, behind the top-ranked University of North Georgia, who gathered 64 votes. The Cougars are coming off a 46-16 season in 2023, posting a 24-3 PBC record. The team competed in the NCAA DII Softball Southeast Regional Championship, where they ended their season. Despite last year's record breaking season, no Cougars made the 2024 PBC preseason All-Conference team.
Under head coach
Brad Huskisson, entering his 17th season, Columbus State welcomes back 17 returners. The Cougars also return a core group of 10 seniors, including
Caitlyn Canady,
Grace Kiser,
Lindsey Patton,
Kristen Odum,
Katelyn Cooper,
Haylee Folds,
Laura Harris,
Kenzie Bayer,
Brooke Miller and
Jessica Lopez.
Senior first baseman
Kenzie Bayer had a breakout season last year, receiving numerous awards, including NFCA All-American Third Team, NFCA DII All-Region Second Team, and an All-Peach Belt Conference First Team. Senior third baseman
Laura Harris is just another threat Columbus State returns after leading the team in batting average last season with a .372 batting average, totaling 61 hits and 39 RBIs.
Even with the loss of the decorated player,
Hannah Rose Corbin, who graduated after last season, CSU returns several key contributors to the circle.
Haylee Folds and
Jessica Lopez return in the circle for the Cougars for their final season. Folds had a 5.44 ERA last season, with 26 appearances and 14 starts. She collected 11 wins for the Cougars, with 79 strikeouts in 90.0 innings. Last season Lopez posted a 4.31 ERA with 31 appearances and 21 starts. She collected 12 wins with 112 strikeouts in 110.1 innings pitched.
Columbus State adds four freshman and three junior transfers to the 2024 roster. Junior transfers include left-handed pitcher
Julianna Franklin, corner infielder
Madison Norrell, and utility player
Madison McDonald.
Softball PBC Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
| 1. |
North Georgia (1) |
64 |
| 2. |
Columbus State (23) |
54 |
| 3. |
Georgia Southwestern |
51 |
| 4. |
Lander |
45 |
| 5. |
Flagler |
31 |
| 6. |
Georgia College & State University |
28 |
| 7. |
USC Aiken |
27 |
| 8. |
Augusta |
16 |
| 9. |
USC Beaufort |
8 |
Softball PBC Preseason All-Conference Team
1b - Jessica Owens, Georgia College & State University
2b - Zoe Willis, Georgia Southwestern
3b - Bailee Roberts, Augusta
SS - Lacey Rutledge, Georgia Southwestern
C - Gracie Derrick, Lander
OF - Sydney Blair, North Georgia
OF - Jolie Lester, North Georgia
OF - Mariah Wicker, North Georgia
UT - Sophie Mooner, North Georgia
P - Kristen Davis, North Georgia
The Columbus State softball team begins competition at the Flagler/Embry-Riddle Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 2, against Florida Tech at 6:30 p.m.
