Where South Carolina features in Softball America's way-too-early rankings

South Carolina softball had its best season in quite some time in 2024. The Gamecocks won 44 games and were a top eight host seed in Ashley Chastain Woodard’s first year leading her alma mater. Several players set USC records (most notably Arianna Rodi’s 17 home runs and the program’s first-ever Gold Glove), and Carolina set several new team standards, too. The big-time season saw the Gamecocks finish in the top 15 of all four major polls, including a best-ever No. 10 finish according to the USA Softball/ESPN.com.

As the team prepares for fall ball, South Carolina remains on the national radar in a real way. That, coupled with Coach Chastain Woodard’s strong work in the transfer portal, has the Gamecocks featured in multiple offseason rankings.

Softball America’s Brady Vernon and Gray Robertson have revealed their way-too-early rankings for the 2026 season. The Gamecocks slotted into top-20 spots in both rankings.

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According to Robertson, South Carolina is No. 17 in the country. Vernon considers the Gamecocks No. 14 overall.

Below is what Robertson had to say about the Gamecocks.

“Last season was a historic run for Ashley Chastain Woodard and her Gamecocks in year one. We said everywhere that picking them last in the SEC was insane, but nobody saw a Top Eight seed coming this time last year. Now, the question becomes about sustaining that success. The departures are numerous, especially Sam Gress in the circle and several key offensive pieces, so it wasn’t a shock to see South Carolina attack the portal again. I love the additions of Lexie Shaver (watch out for this kid), Jamie Mackay, Sage Scarmardo, Tori Ensley, and Alyssa Hovermale on offense, and strengthening the bullpen with Julie Kelley (Kentucky), Josey Marron (Mississippi State), and Emma Friedel (Kennesaw State) helps prop up the returning arms Jori Heard and Nealy Lamb. The biggest question will be how everything gels with so many new faces operating in Columbia. It’s hard to know how things will go before a game is played, but clearly Coach Chastain Woodard and this staff deserve the benefit of the doubt after what they accomplished in 2025.”

Vernon did not write an explanation for his ranking.

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In Robertson’s ranking, South Carolina is also 10th in the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks are 8th in the conference in Vernon’s poll. Below are both Robertson’s and Vernon’s way-too-early 2026 rankings.

Gray Robertson

1. Texas Longhorns
2. Oklahoma Sooners
3. Texas Tech Red Raiders
4. Oregon Ducks
5. Tennessee Volunteers
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
7. Florida State Seminoles
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
9. Clemson Tigers
10. Florida Gators
11. Nebraska Cornhuskers
12. Texas A&M Aggies
13. Georgia Bulldogs
14. LSU Tigers
15. UCLA Bruins
16. Duke Blue Devils
17. South Carolina Gamecocks
18. Stanford Cardinal
19. Washington Huskies
20. Oklahoma State Cowboys
21. Mississippi State Bulldogs
22. Arizona Wildcats
23. Ole Miss Rebels
24. Virginia Cavaliers
25. Florida Atlantic Owls

Brady Vernon

1. Texas Tech Red Raiders
2. Texas Longhorns
3. Oklahoma Sooners
4. Oregon Ducks
5. Florida State Seminoles
6. Arkansas Razorbacks
7. Tennessee Volunteers
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
9. UCLA Bruins
10. Clemson Tigers
11. Florida Gators
12. Alabama Crimson Tide
13. Texas A&M Aggies
14. South Carolina Gamecocks
15. Georgia Bulldogs
16. Stanford Cardinal
17. Arizona State Sun Devils
18. Oklahoma Cowboys
19. LSU Tigers
20. Duke Blue Devils
21. Washington Huskies
22. Ohio State Buckeyes
23. Virginia Cavaliers
24. Mississippi State
25. Auburn Tigers

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