BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama Huntsville topped the 2024 Gulf South Conference Preseason Poll. League coaches voted in the poll and were not allowed to select their own team.
In 2023, the Chargers captured their ninth GSC regular-season title, before securing a league-tying ninth GSC tournament crown and first since 2008. UAH finished with an overall 45-10 record, while rattling off a 25-4 mark in conference play and appearing in their 25th NCAA postseason.
Mississippi College was voted second. The Choctaws had a remarkable 2023 season notching a program-best 43 wins as it complied a 43-11 overall record with and a 24-6 mark in league play. Mississippi College also played in its first GSC Softball Tournament since 2021 and returned to the NCAA postseason after missing out in 2022.
West Alabama was tabbed third after it went 23-7 in league play and 41-14 overall. The 2023 campaign was of the best seasons for the Tigers in nearly two decades and the first time they appeared in the GSC tournament championship game since 1997. UWA also returned to the NCAA postseason for the first time since 2017.
Auburn Montgomery was picked fourth. In 2023, the Warhawks registered 37 wins marking the fourth time in the last five seasons they have finished among the top five in the league's standings.
Valdosta State was selected fifth, followed by West Florida, Union, Montevallo. Lee checked in at No. 9, while West Georgia, Delta State, Christian Brothers and Shorter rounded out the poll.
The Gulf South was represented by four teams in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship last season. It marked the 17th-consecutive season the conference had three or more members appear in the annual event. The league finished with a combined 143-138 record against Division II non-conference opponents.
The 2024 season begins February 1, with GSC play starting February 17 and wrapping up on April 28. Teams will play 10 conference opponents in a three-game series for a total of 30 GSC games. The entire 2024 schedule can be found here.
The GSC Softball Championship returns to Choccolocco Park and will be co-hosted by the City of Oxford, Ala., from May 1-4. The top eight teams in the standings will compete in the double-elimination tournament.
2024 GSC Softball Preseason Poll
1. Alabama Huntsville (11) – 143
2. Mississippi College (2) – 123
3. West Alabama – 120
4. Auburn Montgomery – 118
5. Valdosta State – 102
6. West Florida – 87
7. Union – 74
8. Montevallo – 71
9. Lee – 51
10. West Georgia – 46
11. Delta State – 41
12. Christian Brothers – 21
13. Shorter – 17
First-place votes in parentheses