DAYTON, Tenn. – Bryan College softball earned a third-place selection in the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll, which was released Tuesday.
The Lions garnered 148 points in voting conducted among AAC softball coaches, positioning themselves among the conference's elite programs heading into the upcoming season.
Defending regular-season champion Reinhardt claimed the top spot with 180 points and 11 of 13 first-place votes. The Eagles posted a dominant 23-5 conference record in 2025 and represented the AAC at the NAIA World Series, finishing 32-12 overall.
Johnson earned the second position with 161 points and one first-place vote. The Royals captured the 2025 AAC Tournament title and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.
Brenau (136 points) and Truett McConnell (131 points) complete the top five, with Brenau receiving the remaining first-place vote.
Complete 2026 AAC Softball Preseason Poll:
Reinhardt (11) – 180 points
Johnson (1) – 161 points
Bryan – 148 points
Brenau (1) – 136 points
Truett McConnell – 131 points
Tennessee Wesleyan – 126 points T7. Montreat – 94 points T7. Columbia International – 94 points
Columbia – 80 points
Spartanburg Methodist – 72 points
Milligan – 54 points
Pikeville – 44 points
Union Commonwealth – 30 points
Bluefield – 15 points
The 2026 AAC Tournament is scheduled for April 27-May 1 at the Brickyard Ball Fields in Kingsport, Tennessee, featuring the conference's top 10 teams in a double-elimination format.
