2026 Carson-Newman Softball News

Season
Volleyball alumna Oldenburger joins Eagle Club as assistant director
Volleyball alumna Oldenburger joins Eagle Club as assistant director

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Director of Eagle Club and Athletics Development David Needs has announced the hiring of former Carson-Newman volleyball player Kylee Oldenburger as the new Assistant Eagle Club Director, Corporate Relations, and Ticketing Director.

Cavalier named national finalist for inaugural FloCollege CSC Spotlight Award
Cavalier named national finalist for inaugural FloCollege CSC Spotlight Award

AUSTIN, Texas - Carson-Newman Associate AD for Media Relations/External Operations and the Voice of the Eagles Adam Cavalier is one of 18 national finalists for the inaugural FloCollege CSC Spotlight Award, Flo announced Wednesday afternoon.

Macauley Bailey named Third Team All-American by NFCA
Macauley Bailey named Third Team All-American by NFCA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Make room in the trophy case for Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.). The senior was named Third Team All-America by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.

CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN! Macauley Bailey earns Third Team All-America honor from D2CCA
CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN! Macauley Bailey earns Third Team All-America honor from D2CCA

DARDANELLE, AR. – A couple of hours after notching All-America honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) earned consensus All-America status. The senior was named Third Team All-America by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.

Macauley Bailey named SAC’s Softball Scholar Athlete of the Year
Macauley Bailey named SAC’s Softball Scholar Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman senior first baseman Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) has been named the South Atlantic Conference's Softball Scholar Athlete of the Year, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon. 

Quintet of Eagles garner CSC Academic All-District Honors
Quintet of Eagles garner CSC Academic All-District Honors

GREENWOOD, Ind. – Five members of the Carson-Newman softball team, Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.), Abbi Martin (Gadsden, Ala.), Katey Mathena (Blacksburg, Va.), Regan Rowan (Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.) and Addie Saunders (Radford, Va.) were named to the 2025-26 Academic All-District Teams by the College Sports Communicators.

Malyiah Smith named one of eight finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year
Malyiah Smith named one of eight finalists for NFCA Freshman of the Year

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Standout shortstop Malyiah Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) has been selected as a finalist for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Freshman of the Year award by the Association’s Division II All-America Committee.

Bailey and Gregory earn First-Team honors, as five Eagles make D2CCA All-Region
Bailey and Gregory earn First-Team honors, as five Eagles make D2CCA All-Region

ANDERSON, S.C. – The honors keep coming for Carson-Newman softball as five made the D2CCA All-Region teams. Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) and Grace Gregory (White House, Tenn.) made the first team, with Addie Saunders (Radford, Va.), Atiana Stamper (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Malyiah Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) were second team.

Eagles win first NCAA Tournament game since 2019, but fall on walk-off in nightcap to No. 15 LR
Eagles win first NCAA Tournament game since 2019, but fall on walk-off in nightcap to No. 15 LR

FLORENCE, S.C. – The 2026 season came to an end for Carson-Newman (41-14), falling in nine innings on a walk-off against No. 15 Lenoir-Rhyne (41-14) in the Florence Region semifinals. Earlier in the afternoon, C-N staved off elimination with a 5-3 win over Anderson, the first NCAA Tournament win since 2019.

Bailey headlines four Eagles named to NFCA All-Region Teams
Bailey headlines four Eagles named to NFCA All-Region Teams

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In one of the best seasons in recent history, four members of Carson-Newman earned NFCA All-Region honors, with Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) making the first team, while Grace Gregory (White House, Tenn.), Malyiah Smith (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Addie Saunders (Radford, Va.) were second team.

Carson-Newman drops opening NCAA Tournament game against No. 8 Francis Marion
Carson-Newman drops opening NCAA Tournament game against No. 8 Francis Marion

FLORENCE, S.C. – In its first NCAA Tournament game since 2023, Carson-Newman (40-13) dropped its opening game to the two-seed and hosts Francis Marion, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon at the Francis Marion Softball Stadium. It marked the first meeting between the two since the Patriots eliminated the Eagles back in 2023 during their last NCAA Tournament appearance.

C-N opens first NCAA Tournament bid in three years against two-seed, No. 8 Francis Marion
C-N opens first NCAA Tournament bid in three years against two-seed, No. 8 Francis Marion

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – After missing the NCAA Tournament the last two seasons, Carson-Newman (40-12) returns to the big dance and will face No. 8 Francis Marion (44-11) on Thursday in Florence, South Carolina.

Gregory and Bailey named to the SAC All-Tournament Team
Gregory and Bailey named to the SAC All-Tournament Team

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Carson-Newman seniors Macauley Bailey (Cross Plains, Tenn.) and Grace Gregory (White House, Tenn.) have earned spots on the South Atlantic Conference Softball All-Tournament team, the league office announced Tuesday. 

DANCING! For the first time since 2023 C-N softball heads to the NCAA Tournament
DANCING! For the first time since 2023 C-N softball heads to the NCAA Tournament

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the 22nd time in school history, Carson-Newman softball is headed into postseason play. 

Long balls help upset-minded Lincoln Memorial topple Carson-Newman Friday morning
Long balls help upset-minded Lincoln Memorial topple Carson-Newman Friday morning

HICKORY, N.C. – A hot start and four home runs helped four-seed Lincoln Memorial (24-22) continue its Cinderella run, defeating three-seed Carson-Newman (40-11), 10-5, to advance to Saturday's Championship.

Anderson rallies in the seventh to eliminate C-N from the SAC Tournament in a crushing loss
Anderson rallies in the seventh to eliminate C-N from the SAC Tournament in a crushing loss

RV Carson-Newman (40-12) stared down the barrel of a six-run deficit after four innings, battled back to take the lead, and stood one out away from setting up a rematch with Lincoln Memorial tomorrow, but Anderson (38-12) came from behind to walk it off, 9-8.