Mississippi College Softball Ranked Third in GSC Preseason Poll, Four Players Honored
Mississippi College softball was selected third in the 2026 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, based on votes from the league’s 12 head coaches. The Choctaws earned 95 points, trailing West Florida with 115 and Auburn University at Montgomery with 114. UAH rounded out the top four with 93 points.
The team participated in the 2025 NCAA Division II Softball Championship, alongside AUM and West Florida. AUM advanced to the Super Regionals, while Mississippi College also made its first NCAA appearance. The program placed four student-athletes on the Preseason All-GSC Team, tied for the most of any school.
Blakely Gill, a sophomore catcher, leads the list after a standout freshman season. She started all 55 games in 2025, batting .395 with 70 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 40 RBIs. Gill earned First Team All-GSC, First Team NFCA All-South Region and Second Team D2CCA All-South Region honors.
Senior Shelby Samples, an infielder/outfielder, also made the team. She started all 55 games and hit .407 with 72 hits, 10 doubles and 19 stolen bases. Samples was recognized with First Team All-GSC and Second Team NFCA All-South Region honors. Senior Madelyn England, a third baseman, contributed veteran power, batting .353 with eight home runs, 15 doubles and 36 RBIs. She earned First Team All-GSC, First Team NFCA All-South Region and First Team D2CCA All-South Region honors.
Camryn Bailey, a senior pitcher, returns as the team’s ace. She led the staff in 2025 with a 14-7 record, 2.19 ERA, and 134 strikeouts in 128 innings. Bailey recorded 13 complete games, two shutouts and limited opponents to a .217 batting average, earning Second Team All-GSC recognition.
The Choctaws finished the 2025 season with a 36-19 overall record and a 22-11 conference mark. They secured their first GSC Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regionals. The 2026 season begins Jan. 30, with the first GSC series scheduled for Feb. 20-22. The GSC Softball Championship will be held May 6-9 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama. Fans can watch all Mississippi College home games and conference contests on FloCollege and FloSports.
Source: Original Article
