By: Jonathan Glass | Director of Athletic Communications
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On Tuesday, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and GoRout have announced the Saint Leo University Softball team will open the 2026 season ranked #20.
Last week the Lions were selected to finish in a tie for first place in the Sunshine State Conference preseason coaches' poll.
Saint Leo is coming off a third straight trip to the postseason in 2025, highlighted by a 40–14 overall record and a second-place finish in the SSC with a 21–9 mark. The Lions reached the 40-win plateau for the second time in three seasons and hosted the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament for the second time during that span. After an 8–8 start, Saint Leo surged down the stretch, riding a 16-game winning streak to earn hosting duties and cement its place among the region's elite.
The Lions return a strong core for the 2026 season, including All-Region honorees
Alexis Barber,
Briana Neal,
Sydney Cline, and
Tierney Hocquard, along with All-SSC First Team outfielder
Maddie Antioco.
The Green & Gold welcome four freshmen and two transfers,
Izzy LaRoche (Seminole State) and
Alex Wright (USF). Saint Leo looks to build on its recent success all under the guidance of the 2025 SSC Coach of the Year and the NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year,
Erin Kinberger,
Zack Carver, Alexis Carver, and
Pat Affrunti.
Saint Leo's season begins at the end of the month in Gulf Shores, Ala. Opening weekend features six games beginning with West Alabama and #12 AUM on January 30.
2026 NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
January 20 (Preseason)
| RANK |
TEAM |
POINTS |
RECORD |
| 1 |
UT Tyler |
400 |
0-0 |
| 2 |
Tampa* |
383 |
0-0 |
| 3 |
Western Washington |
369 |
0-0 |
| 4 |
Pace |
350 |
0-0 |
| 5 |
Saginaw Valley State |
338 |
0-0 |
| 6 |
North Georgia |
318 |
0-0 |
| 7 |
Shippensburg |
302 |
0-0 |
| 8 |
West Texas A&M |
272 |
0-0 |
| 9 |
Augustana |
265 |
0-0 |
| 10 |
Francis Marion |
264 |
0-0 |
| 11 |
Central Oklahoma |
243 |
0-0 |
| 12 |
AUM* |
239 |
0-0 |
| 13 |
Angelo State |
205 |
0-0 |
| 14 |
Cal State San Marcos |
184 |
0-0 |
| 15 |
East Stroudsburg |
181 |
0-0 |
| 16 |
Kutztown |
154 |
0-0 |
| 17 |
Cal State East Bay |
133 |
0-0 |
| 18 |
Rogers State |
124 |
0-0 |
| 19 |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
103 |
0-0 |
| 20 |
Saint Leo |
99 |
0-0 |
| 21 |
Wilmington* |
82 |
0-0 |
| 22 |
UIndy |
64 |
0-0 |
| 23 |
Barry |
55 |
0-0 |
| 24 |
Missouri Southern |
41 |
0-0 |
| 25 |
Oklahoma Christian |
22 |
0-0 |
Receiving Votes: Southern Arkansas (4), Hillsdale (3), Concordia (2), Wingate (1).
* denotes 2026 opponent
The 2026 NFCA/Go Rout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA's eight regions.
NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee
