SMC Softball Places Two on All-Conference Teams, 14 Earn Academic Honors

The Appalachian Athletic Conference announced its postseason honors for the 2026 season on Monday. Spartanburg Methodist College junior pitcher Bailey Kiser earned First Team All-Conference honors, while senior outfielder Gracie Starnes was named to the Second Team.

Kiser, a native of Kingwood, Texas, led the AAC with 16 wins, ranked second with 126 strikeouts, and placed fourth with a 1.75 ERA. She was also named AAC Pitcher of the Week twice during the season.

Starnes, from Wagener, South Carolina, recorded a team-best 45 hits, including eight doubles and three triples, on her way to a .372 batting average. Her .372 average ranks second on the team. She also leads the Pioneers with 27 RBIs, 32 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases, the latter ranking third in the conference.

The Pioneers placed 14 student-athletes on the All-Academic Team for their performance in the classroom and on the field. Those honored include Kurtlyn Alexander, Savannah Evans, Lydia Faulk, Maddie Handy, Bailey Kiser, Carson McCowan, Kyla Quiles, Saleena Rollins, Josie Smythe, Gracie Starnes, Alex Stuckey, Adriana Stump-Frias, Grace Thomas, and Ashlynn Watts.

To qualify for the All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must be a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 or higher.

Senior infielder Jacie Ross was also selected to the Champions of Character Team. Student-athletes are nominated by their coaches for best exemplifying the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character program: integrity, respect, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship.