BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Following a Gulf South Conference Softball Championship title and trip to the NCAA Regionals last season, West Florida was named the favorite in the 2026 preseason poll, as determined by the league’s 12 head coaches.
Coaches also selected the Preseason All-GSC Team and chose three student-athletes from their respective squads to comprise the Newcomers to Watch List.
The Argonauts collected 115 points, edging out last season’s regular season champion, AUM, by one-point. Both teams finished with six first-place votes apiece. Mississippi College was picked third with 95 points, while UAH was picked fourth with 93 points.
Three GSC teams appeared in the 2025 NCAA Division II Softball Championship–AUM, Mississippi College and West Florida. AUM eventually reached the NCAA Super Regionals. Gulf South teams combined for 133 non-conference wins last season, including 129 against Division II opponents, ninth-best of the 23 DII conferences.
2026 SCHEDULE | SUBSCRIBE TO FLOCOLLEGE
The Preseason All-GSC Team featured 13 players who were recognized with all-conference honors after last season, highlighted by eight first-teamers. In total, 17 players were selected and represented seven teams.
The GSC Newcomers to Watch List features 27 players who are first-year freshman or transfers on their current team. Names were provide by their respective head coach. Click here to see the complete list.
The 2026 season begins Friday, Jan. 30, with the first conference series slated for the weekend of Feb. 20-22. The GSC Softball Championship will be played May 6-9 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
Watch every home game or GSC contest for your favorite team all-season long on FloCollege or through the FloSports app. Fans who subscribe with an .edu email from a GSC member, including affiliates, can save on monthly or annual subscription rate. Subscriptions can be cancelled at anytime. Click here for more information about FloCollege.
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. West Florida (6) - 115
2. AUM (6) - 114
3. Mississippi College - 95
4. UAH - 93
5. West Alabama - 74
6. Valdosta State - 72
7. Montevallo - 59
8. Trevecca Nazarene - 58
9. Lee - 39
10. Union - 30
11. Delta State - 23
12. Christian Brothers - 20
First-place votes in parentheses
Preseason All-GSC Team*
Katie Bracken, P, Sr., UAH
Megan Shurtz, P, Sr., UAH
Brittany Slaten, UTL, Sr., UAH
Reese Cauley, P/1B, So., AUM
Chelisa Newsome, P, Jr., AUM
Chloe Baynes, OF, Sr., AUM
Blakely Gill, C, So., Mississippi College
Shelby Samples, SS/OF, Sr., Mississippi College
Madelyn England, 3B, Sr., Mississippi College
Camryn Bailey, P, Sr., Mississippi College
Taylor Lloyd, P, Sr., Montevallo
Riley Tyree, 1B, Sr., Montevallo
Brianna Asmondy, 1B/DP, Sr., Trevecca
Ann Marie Stanbridge, 1B, Sr., West Alabama
Haley Guffey, P, Sr., West Florida
Hannah Harper, P/1B, Sr., West Florida
Emma Brice, INF, Sr., West Florida
* Roster expanded due to tie in voting
Listed alphabetical by school