The Texas State Bobcats are favored to repeat as champions in the Sun Belt Conference softball league, according to the 2026 Preseason Coaches’ Poll announced today. This marks the second consecutive year the Bobcats have held the top spot.
Bobcats Lead the Way
Texas State received 138 points and eight first-place votes. The team returns a significant portion of its 2025 roster, including 75.5 percent of its at-bats and 96.8 percent of its innings pitched. Last season, the Bobcats achieved a 34-19 overall record and a 16-8 mark within the Sun Belt Conference.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) secured the second position in the poll with 113 points, followed by Louisiana with 109 points and one first-place vote. Coastal Carolina, the reigning tournament champion, landed in fourth place with 104 points and two first-place votes, while Marshall rounded out the top five with 100 points and one first-place vote.
Individual Honors
Senior first baseman Aiyana Coleman of Texas State was named the 2026 Preseason Player of the Year. Her teammate, junior left-handed pitcher Madison Azua, earned the Preseason Pitcher of the Year title for the second year running.
Coleman led the Sun Belt Conference last season in slugging percentage (.966), OPS (1.577), RBI (33), and walks (29). Azua posted a 20-8 record with a 2.76 ERA and a league-leading 93 strikeouts in conference play.
Texas State and ULM each had three players recognized on the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team. App State and James Madison each had two selections.
The 2026 softball season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, February 5. The Sun Belt Conference Softball Championship will be held May 6-9 at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What team received the most first-place votes in the preseason poll?
Texas State received the most first-place votes, with a total of eight.
Who was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year?
Madison Azua, a junior left-handed pitcher from Texas State, was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Where will the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Softball Championship be held?
The 2026 Sun Belt Conference Softball Championship will be held at Yvette Girouard Field at Lamson Park in Lafayette, Louisiana.
As the season approaches, what factors do you think will be most crucial for teams hoping to challenge Texas State’s dominance in the Sun Belt Conference?
