The Ole Miss softball team has achieved its highest preseason ranking to date, being named the No. 14 team in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in the final preseason poll released Tuesday.
This ranking is the best among four major preseason polls for Ole Miss, which also placed No. 22 in ESPN/USA Softball, No. 24 in D1Softball, and No. 25 in Softball America’s rankings. It is also the first time since 2018 that the program has received a unanimous top-25 preseason selection.
The last time Ole Miss held such a high preseason position was in 2018, when it was also ranked No. 14 by USA Today/NFCA.
Key contributors from last season’s Women’s College World Series run will return for the Rebels this year. These include All-SEC sophomore Persy Llamas, NFCA All-South Region sophomore Mackenzie Pickens, and seniors Taylor Malvin and Taylor Roman. The roster will also feature 16 newcomers—10 transfers and six freshmen.
Ole Miss begins its regular season on February 5 with a doubleheader against Cal State Fullerton at the Easton Classic. The games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Central Time.
Fans can participate in Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, which is the official fan loyalty program of Ole Miss Rebels. By downloading the Ole Miss Sports mobile app and signing up for an account, fans can earn points redeemable for prizes and experiences.
For more information about Ole Miss softball, visit OleMissSports.com or follow their social media accounts on Twitter (@OleMissSoftball), Facebook (Ole Miss Softball), and Instagram (@olemisssoftball). Head coach Jamie Trachsel can also be followed on Twitter at @Jamie_Trachsel.
