LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Following a 6-0 start to the season, Auburn University at Montgomery is No. 1 in the first 2026 NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll of the regular season. Ranked No. 1 for the first time in Division II, the Warhawks (6-0) collected 13 first-place votes (395 points) and sit ahead of No. 2 Angelo State, who received the other three first-place votes (370 points).

The first week of rankings saw significant shifts from the preseason rankings as five teams from outside the top 10 are now inside it. Additionally, six programs joined the top 25 and six fell out, including No. 1 UT Tyler, No. 3 Western Washington and No. 9 Augustana.

AUM, which was ranked No. 12 in the preseason, opened 2026 with a pair of wins at the weather-shortened Gulf Shores Invitational, knocking off a pair of Sunshine State Conference foes, No. 20 Saint Leo, 4-1, and Florida Tech, 5-3 in eight innings. Off to their best start since 2021, the Warhawks stayed hot with four more wins at the Columbus State Invitational, scoring 10 runs in each of their wins over host Columbus State, Florida Southern, Tuskegee and Wingate, who did receive votes in the preseason poll.

With AUM on top, a familiar face, preseason No. 1 UT Tyler (6-4) fell out of the Division II poll. The Patriots, who received votes this week, are not ranked in Division II for the first time since the 2020 preseason poll. UT Tyler had been ranked in 79 consecutive DII polls dating back to Feb. 16, 2020, 78 of those in the top 10 and No. 1 24 times.

Angelo State and Cal State San Marcos rose to No. 2 and No. 3, respectively as they combined to go 17-2, while 2025 national runner-up Tampa fell two spots to No. 4 and Cal State East Bay catapulted to No. 5.

The Rambelles (9-1) opened 5-0 at the DII First Pitch Invitational and 4-1 hosting the ASU George & Ola McCorkle Challenge. ASU scored 71 runs and was a menace on the bases, swiping 33 in 35 attempts. Behind a solid effort from their pitching staff, the third-ranked Cougars (8-1) posted a 4-0 mark at the D2 West Coast Challenge, which preceded a 4-1 outing at the CUI Kickoff Classic. Cougar pitchers twirled four shutouts and recorded an 0.85 ERA over their first nine games.

The Spartans (4-2) rebounded from a season-opening sweep by new-No. 14 Oklahoma Christian with four wins last weekend. The fifth-ranked Pioneers (9-1), who also recorded four shutouts, notched 4-1 and 5-0 weekends at the CUI Kickoff and D2 West Coast Challenge, which included a 17-1 win over then-No. 3 Western Washington.

Off to 10-2 and 8-2 starts, West Texas A&M and Central Oklahoma moved up to No. 6 and No. 7. North Georgia and Saginaw Valley State slipped a few spots to No. 8 and No. 9, while Francis Marion held firm at No. 10.

Also making their way into the rankings this week are a pair of 10-0 teams, No. 11 Southern Arkansas and No. 24 Oklahoma Baptist. West Florida’s 9-1 start, which included a win over West Texas A&M and two over then-No. 23 Barry, has the Argonauts at No. 13. Concordia (9-3) joins the fray at No. 15, while the final two entries are No. 21 Colorado Christian (10-2) and No. 25 McKendree (6-2).

The 2026 NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA’s eight regions. The poll is announced every Tuesday at noon ET during the regular season and records reflect games played through Feb. 8, 2026.

2026 NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Softball Coaches Poll

2/10/26 (Week 1)

Receiving Votes: Northwest Nazarene (31), East Stroudsburg (19), Montevallo (17), UT Tyler (12), Augustana (11), Tusculum (6).

New to Poll: No. 11 Southern Arkansas, No. 13 West Florida, No. 15 Concordia, No. 21 Colorado Christian, No. 24 Oklahoma Baptist, No. 25 McKendree.

Dropped Out: No. 1 UT Tyler, No. 3 Western Washington, No. 9 Augustana, No. 15 East Stroudsburg, No. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne, No. 23 Barry.

The 2026 NFCA/Go Rout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA’s eight regions. Records reflect games played through Feb. 8, 2026.

NFCA D2 Top 25 Poll Committee

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