Francis Marion University has been picked as the preseason favorite in the Conference Carolinas 2025 Softball Coaches' Poll.

The Patriots have won the last two Conference Carolinas Tournament titles, captured the East Division title in 2024, and have made three straight appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

FMU polled 13 of a possible 14 first-place votes and sits atop the preseason poll with 195 points. North Greenville University garnered the final two first-place votes and 177 points to earn second place, while Young Harris College is third with 166 points.

King University is fourth with 130 points, followed by UNC Pembroke (124), Barton College (117), the University of Mount Olive (112), Belmont Abbey College (101), Emmanuel University and Southern Wesleyan University (both at 97), Lees-McRae College (83), Converse University (57), Erskine College (50), Chowan University (44) and Shorter University (25).

The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches and they can't vote for their own school.

The Patriots are coming off a record-setting 2024 campaign that saw them finish with a 47-13 record – the most victories in program history.  FMU is ranked 14th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/GoRout NCAA Division II preseason Top 25 poll.

Patriot head coach Stacey Vallee welcomes back 14 letterwinners, including four position starters and the entire pitching staff.

Francis Marion will open its 2025 season on Saturday, Feb. 1, by hosting local-rival Coker University for a 1 p.m. doubleheader in the Griffin Athletic Complex.

The upcoming 46-game schedule includes 24 homes games, one in-season tournament (Feb. 22-23), and a 24-game conference slate.

The 2025 Conference Carolinas Tournament is scheduled for April 24-27 at Tyger River Park in Duncan, S.C.