FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University softball program is ranked 10th in the final National Fast-Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/GoRout NCAA Division II Top 25 poll of the 2026 season. It marks the second consecutive year the Patriots have concluded the season in the top 10 overall.

Francis Marion posted a 47-13 overall record, equaling the second-most wins in program history, and captured its fourth-straight Conference Carolinas Tournament championship. FMU claimed the conference's East Division title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a fifth consecutive season – and a second Super Regional appearance in as many years.

The Patriots earned the No. 2 seed in the Southeast Region and hosting rights for the sub-regional for a second-straight year and once again posted a perfect 3-0 record at the FMU Softball Stadium. Head coach Stacey Vallee secured her 700th career win in the sub-regional final in walk-off fashion as FMU defeated Lenoir-Rhyne University by a 6-5 margin.

FMU began the season ranked 10th in the preseason poll, and remained nationally-ranked over the entire stretch of the 14-week season, reaching as high as No. 6 overall.

The 2026 campaign included FMU finishing the year winning 24 of its final 28 games, while three Patriots earned first-team all-region honors and Jenna Walling securing All-America status. This year's roster included 10 seniors.

Francis Marion and Lenior-Rhyne were the only two programs from the Southeast Region ranked in the final national poll.