MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Xavier Softball has been picked ninth in the Southern States Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, voted on by league coaches. 

The Gold Rush, who are preparing for their first season as an SSAC school, are joining a conference with three perennial powerhouse teams, which occupied the top three spots. William Carey, Mobile, and Faulkner placed first, second, and third, respectively. 

Xavier was projected to finish ahead of Point, Wesleyan, and Andrew. The detailed Preseason Poll was as follows: 

1. William Carey (9) - 141
2. Mobile (3) - 134
3. Faulkner - 114
4. Blue Mountain - 109
5. UT Southern - 101
6. Brewton-Parker - 81
7. Thomas - 64
8. ABAC - 58
9. Xavier - 53
10. Point - 42
11. Wesleyan - 22
12. Andrew - 17

The 2027 SSAC Softball Championship will be held May 5-8 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Alabama.