KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Campbellsville University Lady Tigers have earned 18 votes in the first regular-season NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll of the 2026 season, announced by the national office on Wednesday.

Campbellsville's 9-5 start has been defined by an explosive, high-octane offense and moments of brilliance in the circle. Head Coach Shannon Wathen's squad has systematically dismantled opposing pitching, outscoring their opponents by a commanding 119-66 margin through 14 games.

The Lady Tigers' lineup has been nothing short of a nightmare for the opposition, compiling a .333 team batting average and an absurd amount of extra-base power. Senior third baseman Caroline Pitcock leads the charge with a .519 average, ripping seven doubles and pacing the team with 16 RBIs. Right beside her are outfielders Hannah Hackworth and Korey Harris, both hitting a massive .500 on the year.

While Hackworth has provided devastating power with a team-leading four home runs, 13 RBIs, and 16 hits, Harris has been the architect of chaos, consistently stealing bases. Harris has already swiped 13 bases on 13 attempts, turning routine singles into immediate scoring threats. First baseman Jessie Daniels (.349) has also continued to be a major run producer, contributing 12 RBIs and 15 hits.

On the defensive side of the diamond, the Lady Tigers are anchored by the unyielding arm of senior pitcher Emma Markham. Markham has been a masterclass in efficiency and control, boasting a near-immaculate 0.78 ERA. With a 5-1 record, she has surrendered minimal damage across 18.0 innings while striking out 19 batters, effectively freezing opposing momentum in its tracks. Junior Leah Holland has provided an excellent counter-punch in the rotation, throwing 28.2 innings to secure a 3-1 record, a 3.42 ERA, and a team-leading 21 strikeouts.

As the Lady Tigers prepare for their Mid-South Conference schedule, this initial poll validates the veteran core's elite output. Armed with 12 total home runs, 31 doubles, and 27 stolen bases, Campbellsville is poised to make waves on the national stage as the 2026 season unfolds.

TREND	RANK	LAST TIME		INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES]	RECORD	POINTS
●	1	1		Southern Oregon [11]	16-6	499
▲	2	3		Eastern Oregon [1]	11-3	481
▼	3	2		Oklahoma City [3]	11-3	438
▲	4	10		Oregon Tech [2]	16-2	433
▲	5	9		Science and Arts (Okla.)	11-4	390
●	6	5		Marian (Ind.)	4-0	385
▲	6	14		Madonna (Mich.) [1]	10-0	385
●	8	8		Central Methodist (Mo.)	9-3	361
▲	9	12		Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) [1]	14-1	342
▲	10	19		Southeastern (Fla.)	15-2	301
▼	11	6		Grand View (Iowa)	6-6	295
▲	12	18		St. Thomas (Fla.)	14-2	292
▼	13	7		Cumberlands (Ky.)	11-5	290
▲	14	RV		Keiser (Fla.)	14-2	255
▲	15	16		Missouri Baptist	9-5	238
▼	16	13		LSU Alexandria (La.)	13-5	237
▲	17	25		Evangel (Mo.)	12-4	228
▼	18	17		Northwestern (Iowa)	12-5	210
▼	19	11		Midland (Neb.)	11-6	177
▲	20	RV		Mobile (Ala.)	9-4	170
▼	21	4		Georgia Gwinnett	8-10	152
▲	22	RV		William Carey (Miss.)	12-4	150
▼	23	22		Texas A&M -Texarkana (Texas)	12-4	136
▼	24	21		Hope International (Calif.)	12-7	130
▲	25	NR		Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)	12-2	129
Dropped from Top 25: Reinhardt (Ga.), Indiana Wesleyan, Saint Xavier (Ill.), Rio Grande (Ohio)
Receiving Votes: Coastal Georgia 98; Reinhardt (Ga.) 91; Saint Xavier (Ill.) 84; Dordt (Iowa) 71; Faulkner (Ala.) 61; Benedictine (Kan.) 47; College of Idaho 46; Tennessee Southern 44; Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) 32; Ottawa (Kan.) 19; Campbellsville (Ky.) 18; Indiana Wesleyan 14; Williams Baptist (Ark.) 14; Rio Grande (Ohio) 13; Cumberland (Tenn.) 8; Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) 5; Oklahoma Wesleyan 4; British Columbia (B.C.) 3; Indiana Tech 3; Avila (Mo.) 3; Texas A&M - Victoria 3; Aquinas (Mich.) 2