Five members of the 11th-ranked Francis Marion University softball team made the Conference Carolinas 2026 All-Conference Team, highlighted by Madalyn White being named Player of the Year and Jenna Walling as Pitcher of the Year. Both White and Walling have been recognized for their outstanding performance throughout the season, contributing significantly to the Patriots' strong record. The team, with a 39-10 record, is set to compete in the conference tournament starting April 23. White leads the team offensively while Walling excels both as a pitcher and hitter, enhancing FMU's competitive edge.

By the Numbers
  • White boasts a .464 batting average, ranking second in the conference.
  • Walling leads the nation with 25 wins and has a 1.44 earned run average over 198.2 innings pitched.
State of Play
  • The Patriots will start their first conference tournament game on April 23 against the winner of Belmont Abbey College vs. King University.
  • They have earned a top-seed positioning in the tournament due to their strong performance throughout the season.
What's Next

As the conference tournament unfolds, the Patriots are poised to leverage their strong lineup and pitching depth to pursue a championship. Upcoming matchups are expected to be critical in determining their path forward and potential for postseason play.

Bottom Line

With stellar individual performances from Walling and White, the Francis Marion University softball team is in a strong position to excel in the conference tournament and make a significant impact as they aim for a championship title.