Francis Marion University is picked as the unanimous pre-season favorite in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Softball Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office announced on Friday (Jan. 23).  It is the third consecutive year FMU has been tabbed first in the pre-season poll.

The Patriots have won the last three Conference Carolinas Tournament titles, captured the East Division each of the last two years, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament four consecutive years.

Francis Marion, 53-6 last year and 23-1 in conference play, sits atop the pre-season poll with 225 points and 15 first place votes. UNC Pembroke received the final first place vote and 184 points to land in the second slot.

King University (178) is third followed by North Greenville University (174), Southern Wesleyan University (171), University of Mount Olive (157), Young Harris College (143), Barton College (127), Chowan University (119), Emmanuel University (115), Converse University (96), Belmont Abbey College (67), Shorter University (58), Erskine College (47), Lees-McRae College (35), and Ferrum College (24).

The 2026 Conference Carolinas Softball Championship is scheduled to take place April 23-26 at Tyger River Park in Duncan, S.C.

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

Earlier this week, FMU was ranked 10th in the 2026 pre-season National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/GoRout NCAA Division II Top 25 coaches poll.

Long-time Francis Marion head coach Stacey Vallee welcomes back 15 letterwinners, including seven position starters and two starting pitchers, from last year's squad that set a program record for most wins in a season.

The returnees are led by All-Americans Alyssa Poston (LHP), Paige Strickland (OF), and Madalyn White (SS).

Francis Marion opens its season at home on Sunday, Feb. 1, when the Patriots entertain USC Aiken for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.  The team's 52-game slate includes 30 home contests and a 28-game conference schedule.

 
2026 Conference Carolinas Softball Preseason Poll
No.      School (first-place votes)    Votes
1          Francis Marion (15)              225
2          UNC Pembroke (1)               184
3          King                                      178
4          North Greenville                   174
5          Southern Wesleyan              171
6          Mount Olive                          157
7          Young Harris                         143
8          Barton                                   127
9          Chowan                                119
10        Emmanuel                            115
11        Converse                               96
12        Belmont Abbey                      67
13        Shorter                                   58
14        Erskine                                  47
15        Lees-McRae                          35
16        Ferrum                                   24