The Ole Miss softball team has been ranked No. 22 in the ESPN/USA Softball preseason poll, marking its highest placement in that poll to date. The ranking places the Rebels among the top teams nationally as they prepare for the upcoming season.
This recognition means Ole Miss has now appeared in three of the four major preseason polls, with rankings of No. 24 by D1Softball and No. 25 by Softball America. The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll is yet to be released. The current ranking is the program’s best since 2020, when it was listed at No. 21 by USA Today/NFCA.
Several players from last season’s Women’s College World Series roster will return for 2026, including All-SEC sophomore Persy Llamas, NFCA All-South Region sophomore Mackenzie Pickens, and seniors Taylor Malvin and Taylor Roman. The team also adds 16 newcomers: 10 transfers and six freshmen.
Ole Miss will begin its regular season on February 5 with a doubleheader against Cal State Fullerton as part of the Easton Classic. The games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. CT.
Fans can participate in Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola by downloading the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, creating an account, and earning points redeemable for prizes and experiences.
“Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.”
For more updates on Ole Miss softball, visit OleMissSports.com or follow @OleMissSoftball on Twitter, Ole Miss Softball on Facebook, and @olemisssoftball on Instagram. Head coach Jamie Trachsel can also be followed on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
