New Braunfels, Texas – East Texas Baptist received every first-place vote in the 2026 American Southwest Conference Softball Preseason Poll and enters the season as the favorite to win a fourth straight conference championship, following a vote of the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, as announced by the league office on Thursday.
ETBU finished the 2025 season 15-1 in ASC play and advanced to the NCAA Division III Super Regionals after winning the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2024. The Tigers had 18 All-Conference selections in 2025 and look to continue their success behind the 2025 Co-Coaching Staff of the Year, led by head coach Janae Shirley.
Hardin-Simmons finished second in the poll with 22 points after a strong 2025 season, finishing 11-5 in conference play. Led by head coach Casey Wilson, the Cowgirls return the 2025 ASC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in Emily Jacobs and Gabby Montanez.
Mary Hardin-Baylor earned 17 points in the poll after finishing 8-8 in conference play and posting a 24-16 overall record in the 2025 season. Sophomores Victoria Shimabukuro and Ava Jolley, along with junior Shorey Nguyen have been named as three players to watch for the Cru this season.
Howard Payne was picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll after an 0-16 ASC record in 2025. The Yellow Jackets return 2025 All-Conference selection, McKeanne Saenz, senior Alyssa Silva, and add new talent in freshman Siannah Nava, who were all named to this year's watch list.
In addition to the preseason poll, twelve players were named to the ASC Softball Preseason Watch List by their respective head coaches and sports information directors, including nine players who earned All-Conference recognition in 2025. This group includes 2025 ASC Player of the Year, Emily Jacobs of Hardin-Simmons and 2025 ASC Freshman of the Year, Gabby Montanez, of Hardin-Simmons.
2026 ASC Softball Schedule
The 2026 ASC Softball Championship will be held May 7-9, and hosted by the No. 1 seed. The tournament winner will be declared ASC Champion and receive an automatic berth to NCAA Division III Championship.
2026 ASC Softball Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st place votes) |
Pts. |
2025 ASC Record (Overall) |
| 1. |
East Texas Baptist (8) |
32 |
15-1 (43-5) |
| 2. |
Hardin-Simmons |
22 |
11-5 (32-10) |
| 3. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
17 |
8-8 (24-16) |
| 4. |
Howard Payne |
9 |
0-16 (7-34) |
2026 ASC Softball Preseason Players to Watch
| Name |
Cl. |
Pos. |
School |
Hometown |
| Avery Holland* |
Jr. |
LHP |
East Texas Baptist |
Fredericksburg, TX |
| Madi Hubbard* |
Sr. |
3B |
Hardin-Simmons |
Frisco, TX |
| Emily Jacobs* P |
Jr. |
OF |
Hardin-Simmons |
Joshua, TX |
| Ava Jolley |
So. |
OF |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Kingwood, TX |
| Katelynn Jones* |
So. |
OF/UT |
East Texas Baptist |
Whitehouse, TX |
| Gabby Montanez* F |
So. |
P |
Hardin-Simmons |
Weatherford, TX |
| Izabella Morales* |
Jr. |
OF |
East Texas Baptist |
Richmond, TX |
| Siannah Nava |
Fr. |
INF |
Howard Payne |
Lake Jackson, TX |
| Shorey Nguyen* S |
Jr. |
OF |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Carrollton, TX |
| McKeanne Saenz* |
Sr. |
INF |
Howard Payne |
San Marcos, TX |
| Victoria Shimabukuro* |
So. |
OF |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Belton, TX |
| Alyssa Silva |
Sr. |
P |
Howard Payne |
McAllen, TX |
Players selected by their respective head coach and sports information director.
* 2025 All-Conference
P 2025 ASC Player of the Year
F 2025 ASC Freshman of the Year
S 2025 Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year
Rawlings is the official softball of the American Southwest Conference.