BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  -- Florida A&M was picked to finish second in the East Division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference softball preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
The Rattlers collected 85 points and seven first-place votes, finishing behind Jackson State (105 points, 11 first-place votes). Alabama State was tabbed third with 80 points and three first-place votes, followed by Bethune-Cookman (72), Alabama A&M (48) and Mississippi Valley State (22).

Florida A&M enters the 2026 campaign in its second season under head coach Brittany Beall after a breakthrough spring in which the Rattlers reached the conference championship game and finished as the SWAC Tournament runner-up.

In the West Division, Prairie View A&M was the coaches' and SIDs' pick to lead the way with 110 points and 14 first-place votes. Texas Southern followed with 88 points and three first-place votes, while Southern (70, two first-place votes), Grambling State (67), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (44, two first-place votes) and Alcorn State (40) rounded out the division.

2026 SWAC Softball predicted order of finish

East Division

1. Jackson State — 105 points (11)
2. Florida A&M — 85 (7)
3. Alabama State — 80 (3)
4. Bethune-Cookman — 72
5. Alabama A&M — 48
6. Mississippi Valley State — 22

West Division

1. Prairie View A&M — 110 (14)
2. Texas Southern — 88 (3)
3. Southern — 70 (2)
4. Grambling State — 67
5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff — 44 (2)
6. Alcorn State — 40

First-place votes in parentheses.