AMERICUS, Ga. — The Georgia Southwestern State University softball team was selected fourth in the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, released today, while three Lady Hurricanes earned preseason all-conference recognition heading into the spring season.
Georgia Southwestern, coming off a memorable Peach Belt Conference tournament championship and the program's first-ever NCAA regional bid, finished with 55 points in the poll and received one first-place vote, trailing North Georgia (76 points), Flagler (69) and Georgia College & State University (62). Columbus State rounded out the top five with 49 points.
2026 Peach Belt Conference Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
1st Place Votes |
| 1. |
North Georgia |
76 |
6 |
| 2. |
Flagler |
69 |
1 |
| 3. |
Georgia College |
62 |
2 |
| 4. |
Georgia Southwestern |
55 |
1 |
| 5. |
Columbus State |
49 |
— |
| 6. |
USCA |
44 |
— |
| 7. |
Lander |
41 |
— |
| 8. |
USC Beaufort |
26 |
— |
| 9. |
Augusta |
19 |
— |
| 10. |
Middle Georgia |
9 |
— |
In addition to the team's preseason ranking, Georgia Southwestern placed three players on the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Preseason All-Conference Team, marking the most preseason all-conference selections in program history.
Outfielder
Madison Banks, utility player
Cooper Watson, and pitcher
Pyper McCard were all recognized among the league's top returning players.
Banks, a 2025 PBC Second Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team selection, started 46 of 47 games last season and paced Georgia Southwestern with a .376 batting average. The senior from Bonaire, Ga., added a .490 slugging percentage and a .405 on-base percentage while recording 79 putouts defensively with a .966 fielding percentage in the outfield.
Watson returns after a standout 2025 freshman season that included Peach Belt First Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team honors. Appearing in 48 games with 45 starts, the Auburn, Ala., native hit .368 while leading the Lady Hurricanes with a .701 slugging percentage and a .503 on-base percentage, providing consistent production and versatility throughout the lineup.
McCard rounds out Georgia Southwestern's preseason honorees after leading the pitching staff with fewest walks allowed and lowest WHIP last season. The southpaw from Ashburn, Ga., made 28 appearances with 20 starts last season, posting a 9-8 record with a 3.41 ERA and 55 strikeouts. McCard also threw six complete games, anchoring the Lady Hurricanes' pitching staff throughout the year.
Georgia Southwestern opens the 2026 season on Saturday, January 31 at home with a doubleheader against Florida Southern College starting at 1 p.m.
