Reinhardt Favored to Win 2026 Softball Championship

WALESKA, Ga. - Reinhardt is the team to beat according to is favored to win the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) softball championship, according to the AAC coaches' poll released Tuesday.

The poll was voted on by the softball coaches of the AAC.

Reinhardt received 11 of the 13 first-place votes in amassing 180 points. Reinhardt won the 2025 regular-season championship with a 23-5 conference record and advanced to the NAIA World Series, finishing with a 32-12 overall mark.

Johnson is picked second, having picked up one first-place vote and 161 points. The Royals won the 2025 AAC Tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round. 

Bryan (148 points), Brenau (136 points), and Truett McConnell (131 points) round out the top five, with Brenau collecting the last remaining first-place vote.

Here is the complete breakdown of the poll:

2026 Softball Coaches Poll
Team (First-Place Votes) - Total Voting Points
1. Reinhardt (11) - 180
2. Johnson (1) - 161
3. Bryan - 148
4. Brenau (1) - 136
5. Truett McConnell - 131
6. Tennessee Wesleyan - 126
T7. Montreat - 94
T7. Columbia International - 94
9. Columbia - 80
10. Spartanburg Methodist - 72
11. Milligan - 54
12. Pikeville - 44
13. Union Commonwealth - 30
14. Bluefield - 15

The AAC Tournament is set for April 27-May 1 at the Brickyard Ball Fields in Kingsport, Tenn. The top 10 teams will participate in the double-elimination tournament.