With the 2026 college softball season just a week away, the preseason stage is set-and the spotlight is squarely on the SEC. The league’s coaches released their preseason poll Thursday morning, and it’s clear the road to the top runs through Austin and Norman. Defending national champion Texas was picked to finish first, but Oklahoma is right on their heels, setting the tone for what promises to be a heavyweight battle all season long.
Texas earned nine of the 15 available first-place votes from SEC coaches, while Oklahoma snagged the remaining six. That slim margin translated into a tight finish in the overall point totals-189 for the Longhorns, 186 for the Sooners. Coaches weren’t allowed to vote for their own teams, which makes the results all the more telling: across the league, there’s deep respect for what both of these programs bring to the table.
Oklahoma may have finished second in the poll, but let’s not forget-they were the class of the SEC during the regular season in 2025. The Sooners posted a 52-9 overall record, went 17-7 in conference play, and claimed the SEC regular-season crown. They shared the SEC Tournament title and earned the No. 2 national seed heading into the Women’s College World Series.
Their postseason run ended in the semifinals in Oklahoma City, falling just short of the championship series after a loss to Texas Tech. That same Texas Tech squad was eventually swept by Texas in the WCWS finals. Now, as Patty Gasso enters her 32nd season at the helm, the Sooners are locked in on one mission: returning to OKC and chasing a ninth national title-and what would be their fifth in six years.
Talent-wise, Oklahoma isn’t just reloading-they’re returning firepower across the board. Four Sooners landed on the preseason All-SEC team, as voted on by the conference’s head coaches: infielder Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, shortstop Gabby Garcia, outfielder Kasidi Pickering, and utility standout Ella Parker.
Pickering is coming off a monster 2025 campaign. She was a first-team All-American and All-SEC selection, splitting time at both corner outfield spots before settling into the leadoff role down the stretch.
Her numbers speak for themselves: a .392 batting average, 67 hits, 18 home runs, 57 RBIs, and a team-leading .801 slugging percentage. She also drew 51 walks, showcasing her patience at the plate and ability to set the tone offensively.
Parker, primarily the team’s designated player, was just as lethal. She hit .423 with 74 hits, 19 doubles, 15 home runs, and 53 RBIs, adding a .789 slugging percentage to her resume. Like Pickering, she earned first-team All-America honors and was a consistent force in the middle of the lineup.
Then there’s McEnroe-Marinas, who made an immediate impact in her redshirt freshman season. Starting all 61 games at third base, she hit .339 with 15 homers and 48 RBIs, earning first-team All-SEC honors. Her combination of power and consistency gave Oklahoma a steady presence at the hot corner.
Garcia, the team’s everyday shortstop, rounds out the group. She started 59 games in 2025, earning second-team All-SEC, All-Defensive team honors, and a third-team All-America nod from the NFCA. Her .351 average came with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs-a rare blend of defense and pop from a premium position.
As the season approaches, the SEC looks like a gauntlet once again. Texas and Oklahoma may be the frontrunners, but the depth of the league is undeniable. Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas, and Texas A&M round out the top six in the preseason poll, each with the talent to make noise nationally.
Here’s how the full preseason SEC coaches poll shakes out:
2026 Preseason SEC Coaches Poll
1.
Texas (9) - 189 points
2.
Oklahoma (6) - 186
3.
Tennessee - 166
4.
Florida - 144
5.
Arkansas - 137
6.
Texas A&M - 125
7.
LSU - 119
8.
Georgia - 105
9.
Alabama - 94
10.
South Carolina - 90
11.
Mississippi State - 65
12.
Auburn - 55
13.
Ole Miss - 51
14.
Missouri - 32
15.
Kentucky - 17
Make no mistake-Oklahoma isn’t flying under any radar. They’re a proven powerhouse with a championship pedigree and a roster stacked with talent. The SEC title race is shaping up to be a thriller, and if the preseason poll is any indication, we’re in for another year of high-stakes, high-octane softball.