MSN - The Oklahoma Sooners will begin 2026 in unfamiliar territory. They aren’t the defending national champion for the first time since 2021. They had a good season in 2025, but it was cut short in the Women’s College World Series by Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady. For the first time in a while, the Sooners are on the hunt, instead of being the hunted.

Oklahoma came in at No. 3 in Softball America’s preseason rankings. Despite winning the SEC in 2025, the Sooners were voted No. 2 in the preseason SEC coaches poll released on Thursday.

Oklahoma received six first-place votes but came in behind defending national champion Texas, which received nine first-place votes.

The Sooners are followed by ace Karlyn Pickens and the No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers. Coming in at No. 4 are the Florida Gators, led by former Sooners catcher Jocelyn Erickson. Arkansas rounds out the top five in the conference.

The Sooners will open the season on Feb. 5 with Arizona State before a threegame series with Arizona in the Candrea Classic.

Oklahoma brings back a loaded roster with seven returning starters in the lineup and bolstered by the No. 1 recruiting class in the 2025 cycle. Oklahoma also added pitchers Sydney Berzon and Miali Guachino, who come to Oklahoma with SEC pitching experience.

Four Sooners were tabbed to the 2026 All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) Preseason Softball Team, with Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering earning the nod.

2026 All-SEC Preseason Softball Team Audrey Vandagriff – Alabama Robyn Herron – Arkansas Ella McDowell – Arkansas AnnaLea Adams- - Auburn Jocelyn Erickson – Florida Keagan Rothrock – Florida Taylor Shumaker – Florida Maci Bergeron – LSU Tori Edwards – LSU Persy Llamas – Ole Miss Gabbie Garcia – Oklahoma Nelly McEnroe-Marinas – Oklahoma Ella Parker – Oklahoma Kasidi Pickering – Oklahoma Arianna Rodi – South Carolina Karyln Pickens – Tennessee Reese Atwood – Texas Kayden Henry – Texas Teagan Kavan – Texas Katie Stewart – Texas Mya Perez – Texas A&M 2026 SEC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll (parentheses indicates first-place votes) 1. Texas (9) 189 2. Oklahoma (6) 186 3. Tennessee 166 4. Florida 144 5. Arkansas 137 6. Texas A&M 125 7. LSU 119 8. Georgia 105 9. Alabama 94 10. South Carolina 90 11. Mississippi State 65 12. Auburn 55 13. Ole Miss 51 14. Missouri 32 15. Kentucky 17