ABILENE, TX – All eyes in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) are turning toward Edwards Field this spring, as the McMurry University softball team prepares to take the diamond for the 2026 season.
In the 2026 SCAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, McMurry was picked to finish fourth, earning 86 points. While Texas Lutheran (118 points), St. Thomas (110 points), and Concordia (96 points) claimed the top three spots, the War Hawks hold a unique "home-field" motivation this year, as McMurry University will serve as the host for the 2026 SCAC Softball Tournament Championship.
In 2026, the goal for the War Hawks is to navigate a challenging conference slate and peak in May when the road to the SCAC Championship runs directly through Abilene.
The conference landscape is deeper than ever. Behind McMurry in the poll are Centenary (68 points) and league newcomer LeTourneau (66 points). Hendrix, Schreiner, Ozarks, Austin College, and Dallas round out the 11-team field.
To climb the standings, McMurry will have to contend with perennial powerhouse Texas Lutheran. The Bulldogs are coming off a World Series appearance. St. Thomas also remains a threat, coming off a program-record 34 wins and an NCAA appearance.
However, the War Hawks have proven they can compete with the best, and the advantage of playing the postseason at Edwards Field provides a massive boost for the Scholar-Athletes in Maroon and White.
The 2026 campaign officially kicks off on January 30th at Huston-Tillotson, with the grind of the SCAC schedule beginning in earnest on Friday, February 13th, for their first home series of the season against the aforementioned Texas Lutheran.
The season will culminate at Edwards Field, where McMurry will host the double-elimination SCAC Tournament running Friday, May 1st, through Sunday, May 3rd. With a championship on the line and the home crowd behind them, the War Hawks are ready to make 2026 a year to remember.
2026 SCAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points) |
| 1. |
Texas Lutheran University (8) |
118 |
| 2. |
University of St. Thomas (Tex.) (2) |
110 |
| 3. |
Concordia University (Tex.) |
96 |
| 4. |
McMurry University |
86 |
| 5. |
Centenary College |
68 |
| 6. |
LeTourneau University |
66 |
| 7. |
Hendrix College |
47 |
| 8. |
Schreiner University |
41 |
| 9. |
University of the Ozarks |
38 |
| 10. |
Austin College (1) |
32 |
| 11. |
University of Dallas |
24 |
