BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2026 SWAC Softball Predicted Order of Finish on Monday morning with Jackson State and Prairie View A&M tabbed as league favorites heading into the upcoming season. The preseason polls were voted upon by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Jackson State was picked to finish in 1^st place in the SWAC’s Eastern Division. The Lady Tigers tallied 11 first place points and 105 total points. Florida A&M (2^nd), Alabama State (3^rd), Bethune-Cookman (4^th), Alabama A&M (5^th), and Mississippi Valley State (6^th) round out the list of SWAC East Preseason selections.
 
Prairie View A&M was tabbed to finish in 1^st place in the SWAC’s Western Division. The Lady Panthers amassed a league leading 14 first place votes and 110 total points. Texas Southern (2^nd), Southern (3^rd), Grambling State (4^th), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5^th), and Alcorn State (6^th) highlight SWAC West Preseason selections.
 
A complete listing of preseason poll rankings is listed below.

2026 SWAC Softball Predicted Order of Finish
 
East Division

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

West Division

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

* First place votes listed in parenthesis ( )

About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.