The final edition of Dr. Cavil’s 2025-26 HBCU Mid-Major Division Softball Poll is officially here, and several programs closed the season with impressive resumes. From dominant conference play to strong postseason pushes, these five teams separated themselves from the pack.
Here’s the final countdown from No. 5 to No. 1.
No. 5 — Savannah State Tigers (27-18, 15-9)
Savannah State holds on to the No.5 spot in the final rankings. The Lady Tigers SIAC Tournament run ended with a 4-1 loss at the hands of Miles in the SIAC Championship game. Nonetheless it was still a record setting season, as the 27 wins are an high mark in program history. The 27 wins also represents a +12 win improvement from the previous year and is also the Tigers first winning season since 2021. Ansley Hudson was one just nine players in the SIAC with a batting average of .400 or better.
No. 4 — Claflin Tigers (31-14, 15-1)
The Panthers of Claflin checks in at fourth in the final rankings. Claflin defeated Winston-Salem State 7-6 to to claim the 2026 CIAA Softball Tournament for the second time, as well as the automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament that accompanied it.
Their season was ended in the elimination game of the Atlantic Region via a 13-0 loss to Glenville State.
Claflin was the no.1 ranked hitting team in the CIAA with a team batting average of .367 and featured three players with batting averages of .400 or better- Jeniah Williams ( .415), Aryana Meadows (.439) and Aniyah Jackson(.520). Katelynn Grissom led the CIAA with a 2.57 ERA.
No. 3 — Albany State Golden Rams (34-11, 19-5)
Albany State ends the final poll rankings at No.3. The Lady Golden Rams clinched the SIAC Eastern Division, however their season was ended via a 2-0 loss at the hands of Tuskegee on Day 2 of the SIAC Softball Tournament.
A trio of Lady Goldem Rams earned All-SIAC honors- pitcher McKenzie Fitch and outfielder Tranisha Parker garnered First Team honors, while Fitch earned second team honors, this time as a relief pitcher , along with catcher Kyla Fitch. In addition Fitch was selected as 2026 SIAC Relief Pitcher of the Year.
No. 2 — Tuskegee Golden Tigers (34-9, 21-1)
The Golden Tigers finish in the penultimate position in this year’s poll rankings. After dropping their first round matchup in the SIAC Softball Tournament, Tuskegee survived 2 elimination games, defeating Edward Waters 9-0 and Albany State 2-0 before falling to Miles 3-2, ending a season that saw them top 30 wins for the second time in the last three seasons.
Head coach Deitrich Randle was named Coach of the Year, while a quartet of Golden Tigers earned all-conference honors. Senior outfielder Tamiya Martin, sophomore pitcher Monica Rose and freshman second baseman Kenya Tatum garnered First Team honors, while senior third baseman Ava Mearideth was named to the Second Team.
Rose, who also led the SIAC in ERA (2.09) was second in opposing batting average
(.211), was named SIAC Pitcher of the Year. Tatum was named Freshman of the Year after a standout campaign that saw her bat .486 with 51 hits, 4 homers and 48 RBI.
No. 1 — Dillard Bleu Devils (27-16,19-2)
Dillard finishes atop the Dr. Cavil’s Inside the HBCU Sports Lab Mid-Major Softball top 5 poll rankings. The Bleu Devils,who along with Stillman were regular season Co-Champions of the HBCUAC, defeated Stillman 10-7 to claim the program’s first championship in program history since it was restarted in 2023.
Earning the bid to the NAIA Softball Tournament, the Bleu Devils drew No.1seed Southeastern in the opening round. Dillard would lose a hard fought 1-0 contest to bracket’s top seed and was forced to take on Evangel (MO) in the elimination game. The Bleu Devils came up short falling to Evangel 7-3, with a 5-run third inning proving to be the difference.
Mary-Elizabeth Landry led the conference with a 3.13 , while Kylie Price was second with a 3.38 ERA. Jessica Battiste was the third leading hitter in the HBCUAC, with a .465 batting average.
Dropping Out: N/A
Receiving Votes:
Edward Waters Tigers ( 26-18, 15-9) -30
Stillman Tigers (25-19, 19-2) -24
With the final rankings now set, the 2025-26 HBCU softball season closes with several programs building momentum and proving the continued growth and competitiveness of HBCU mid-major softball.
