Softball | 1/21/2026 1:03:00 PM
DENTON, Texas (Jan. 21, 2026) - The Texas Woman's softball team was selected to finish 12th in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors, and media, the conference office announced.
Two-time defending national champion UT Tyler was tabbed as the preseason favorite after collecting 39 first-place votes and 849 total points. West Texas A&M (817) and Angelo State (753) rounded out the top three, followed by Oklahoma Christian and Lubbock Christian to complete the top five.
The Pioneers are coming off the 2025 season and return a strong core of contributors while adding depth both in the box and defensively. TWU continues to build momentum under fourth-year head coach Gay McNutt as the program enters the 2026 campaign.
Texas Woman's was represented on the conference's preseason watch lists by freshman infielder Tamia Cherry and sophomore pitcher Randi Crawford.
Cherry, a freshman from Aubrey, Texas, joins the Pioneers after a standout prep career at Aubrey High School, where she earned All-State honors during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. A multi-sport athlete, Cherry also competed in volleyball and basketball and was named Academic All-District. She is expected to add depth and athleticism to the TWU infield in her first collegiate season.
Crawford returns after an impressive freshman campaign in the circle for TWU. The right-hander from Blossom, Texas, posted an 11-9 record in 24 appearances, including 21 starts, while logging 13 complete games, four shutouts, and a save. She struck out 103 batters and finished the season with a 4.07 ERA. Crawford earned Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Week honors in Week 11 and was named to the LSC All-Freshman Team.
"We're excited to see what both Randi and Tamia will bring this season," said Head Coach Gay McNutt. "They offer different strengths to our program. We will look for Randi to lead us in the circle and Tamia to lead us both defensively, as well as from an offensive standpoint.
The Pioneers also welcome two new additions to the coaching staff this season with assistant coach Rone Robinson and graduate assistant Kalyn Hill, further strengthening the program as it prepares for the upcoming year.
TWU will open the season at the Lone Star Classic in Mansfield, Texas, on Friday, Jan. 30. The Pioneers will face Missouri Southern at 10 a.m. before closing the day against Washburn at 12:15 p.m.
The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14, featuring a doubleheader against UT Tyler at 1 and 3 p.m. at Dianne Barker Field.
LSC SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL & AWARDS
2026 Preseason Poll (Voted by head coaches, sports information directors and media)
Rank  Team                  1st  Total
1      UT Tyler                39    849
2 Â Â Â Â Â West Texas A&M Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8 Â Â Â 817
3      Angelo State            2    753
4      Oklahoma Christian       1    715
5      Lubbock Christian        1    665
6      Cameron                    551
7      Eastern New Mexico          537
8      St. Edward's                 489
9      St. Mary's                    445
10     Texas A&M-Kingsville          416
11     Texas A&M International        351
12     Texas Woman's               322
13     Midwestern State            285
14     Western New Mexico         219
15     UT Dallas                     188
16     Sul Ross State               101
17     UT Permian Basin             100
Preseason Player of the Year: Tatiana Trotter, Angelo State, Outfield, Sr.
Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Jill Dickson, Oklahoma Christian, Pitcher, Sr.
Texas Woman's will look to progress throughout the year and continue their growth in the Lone Star Conference as the 2026 season gets underway.
-PIONEERS-
