ATLANTA, Ga. (February 2, 2026) - Fresh off another deep postseason run, Huntingdon enters the 2026 season at the top of the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Softball Preseason Poll. The Hawks collected 61 points and five first-place votes from the league's head coaches after posting a 38–7 overall record and a dominant 15–1 mark in conference play last spring. This marks the first time the Hawks have been selected as the conference favorite ahead of Belhaven.

Last season, Huntingdon hosted the CCS Tournament as the No. 1 seed and advanced to the championship round after defeating Piedmont in the semifinals. Following a narrow 2–1 loss to Belhaven, the Hawks responded with an emphatic 8–0, five-inning victory over Maryville to force a rematch, ultimately finishing as tournament runner-up. The Hawks continued their season with an at-large bid and were selected as hosts for NCAA Regional play for the second straight season, earning their first regional win with a victory over Berry before falling to Emory in the championship game. The Hawks return one of the conference's most formidable pitching teams, led by 2025 CCS Pitcher of the Year junior Allie Roberts (21 wins, 1.56 ERA) and Rookie Pitcher of the Year sophomore Addison Gaines (8 wins, 1.94 ERA). Under the guidance of 2025 CCS Coach of the Year Casey Chrietzberg, Huntingdon also brings back key all-conference performers Maddie Grace Hubbard (.479 average, 52 runs), Kylie Stephens (.350 average, 24 RBI), and Madison Fruge (7 wins, 2.05 ERA).
 
Belhaven narrowly trailed Huntingdon in the preseason poll, earning 59 points and three first-place votes after capturing the 2025 CCS Softball Tournament Championship. The Blazers finished last season 32–9 overall and 14–2 in conference play, securing their fifth consecutive berth in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. Belhaven opened last year's conference tournament with a shutout win over Maryville before edging top-seeded Huntingdon in the semifinals to reach the championship round. The Blazers went on to claim the title with a 2–0 victory over the Hawks. Competing in the Marshall Regional, Belhaven fell to St. Thomas in the opener before rebounding with a 14–1 win over Marymount. Their season concluded with a loss in the regional semifinal. The Blazers return a strong core, highlighted by first-team all-conference selections Reagan Bryan (.363 average, 43 runs scored) and Macy Funderburk (17 wins, 2.00 ERA, .215 opponent batting average). Second-team honoree Ellie Williamson (.357 average, 37 RBI) also returns as Belhaven looks to defend its conference crown.
 
Piedmont was selected third in the preseason poll with 51 points and one first-place vote following a 25–19 overall campaign and a 10–6 conference record in 2025. The Lions opened CCS Tournament play with a 6–0 shutout of Asbury and advanced past LaGrange in the quarterfinals before their postseason run came to an end against Maryville in the semifinals. Piedmont returns key contributors in sophomore outfielder Mandi Peretti, a first-team all-conference selection who led the team in runs scored and stolen bases, along with second-team all-conference infielder Addie Perkins who batted .308 for the Lions.
 
Maryville sits fourth in the preseason poll with 40 points after finishing last season 23–20 overall and 10–6 in CCS play. Entering the conference tournament as the No. 3 seed, the Scots advanced to the semifinals before falling to host Huntingdon. Now under the leadership of Bayleigh Masterson, Maryville returns senior all-conference pitcher/utility Paige Dickinson, who led the team in walks and RBI while batting .366 with five home runs. The Scots will look to take another step forward in 2026.
 
Asbury was tabbed fifth with 36 points after posting a 22–14 overall record and a 9–7 mark in conference play last season. The Eagles are aiming to rebound after an early postseason exit against Piedmont and Maryville. Asbury brings back sophomore standouts Daegan Flamm, who led the team in sacrifice bunts, and Moira Tinsley, the team's top RBI producer. The Eagles will look to build on last season's momentum as they push toward the top half of the standings.
 
LaGrange slots in at sixth with 29 points. The Panthers finished last season 18–22 overall and 8–8 in conference play, with their postseason run ending in the CCS Tournament semifinals. LaGrange returns junior pitcher/utility Claire Chamberlain, who logged 114 innings in the circle last season. With experience returning, the Panthers will look to make a deeper run in conference play in 2026.
 
Covenant rounds out the preseason poll in seventh place with 22 points, eager to exceed expectations and move up the standings. Agnes Scott College follows in eighth with 18 points, while Wesleyan finishes in ninth with eight points.

Conference play is in full swing on Friday, March 20, with several conference teams taking to the field. Follow all the CCS softball action with updated scores, schedules at standings at www.collegiateconferenceofthesouth.com.

The 2026 CCS Softball Championship Tournament will feature the Top 6 teams on Wednesday, April 29 and the championship game is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 hosted at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.

Below is a look at the 2026 CCS Softball Preseason Poll. First-place votes are in parentheses:
2026 CCS SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL

Ranking	School	Points
1	Huntingdon College	61 points (5)
2	Belhaven University	59 points (3)
3	Piedmont University	51 points (1)
4	Maryville College	40 points
5	Asbury University	36 points
6	LaGrange College	29 points
7	Covenant College	22 points
8	Agnes Scott College	18 points
9	Wesleyan College	8 points

 
First-place votes in parenthesis.
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)

The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
 
Follow all things #CCS on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram at @ccofsouth for all the latest news around the league.