The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff softball team is predicted to finish fifth in the SWAC West Division, the league announced Monday.
UAPB (14-28, 9-15 SWAC in 2025) finished fifth last season, a drop from a fourth-place finish in 2024 which saw the Lady Lions qualify for the SWAC tournament. UAPB received two first-place votes but nonetheless finished ahead of only Alcorn State in the preseason poll, which is voted upon by the SWAC’s head coaches and sports information directors.
Prairie View A&M, which has won the West Division title each of the past three seasons, is predicted to again finish atop the West. Jackson State, which has won the past two SWAC tournaments but hasn’t won a division title since 2021, was picked to win the East.
UAPB will open softball season at home with a three-game series against Western Illinois at the Torii Hunter Softball Complex Feb. 13-14. The Lady Lions will open SWAC play March 6-7 at home against Alcorn State. Southern, Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern are also scheduled to play in Pine Bluff during conference play.
The SWAC tournament is scheduled for May 5-9 at the Gulfport Sportsplex in Gulfport, Miss. The top four teams in each division will qualify.