Softball Picked Fourth in 2026 AAC Preseason Coaches Poll

Waleska, Georgia- The Brenau softball team received one first-place vote and is predicted to finish fourth in the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Softball Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced on Tuesday.

In the 2025 campaign, the Golden Tigers won 34 games and advanced to the finals of the 2025 AAC Softball Championships. In 2026, the squad returns a deep and experienced squad, including a pair of All-American performers in Whitney Hulsey and Ava Moon, as well as AAC All-Conference players Peyton Hawkins and Dayton Power.

Reinhardt (Ga.) was selected as the top vote-getter in the 2026 preseason poll, while Johnson (Tenn.), and Bryan (Tenn.) rounded out the top-three teams.

Brenau opens the season versus Kentucky Christian University on February 13th at the Columbia College/Columbia International University tournament in Columbia, South Carolina. 

Poll

Team (1st-place votes) - total points

1. Reinhardt (11) - 180

2. Johnson (1) - 161

3. Bryan - 148

4. Brenau (1) - 136

5. Truett McConnell - 131

6. Tennessee Wesleyan - 126

T7. Montreat - 94

T7. Columbia International - 94

9. Columbia - 80

10. Spartanburg Methodist - 72

11. Milligan - 54

12. Pikeville - 44

13. Union Commonwealth - 30

14. Bluefield - 15