BELTON, Texas – University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Softball has been voted to finish third in the American Southwest Conference Preseason Poll, released Thursday.
UMHB totaled 17 points after a 24-16 season in 2025. East Texas Baptist topped the poll with 32 points and eight first-place votes. The Tigers have two national titles ('10 and '24) and finished last season ranked ninth in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.
Hardin-Simmons was picked to finish second with 22 points after a 32-10 season, followed by the Cru in third. Howard Payne finished the ranking in fourth with nine votes.
Ava Jolley,
Shorey Nguyen and
Vic Shimabukuro were all named to the ASC Players to Watch list.
Ava Jolley, a sophomore outfielder from Kingwood, played in 27 games with three hits and 10 runs scored.
Shorey Nguyen, a junior outfielder from Carrollton, was a Third Team All-ASC selection last season. She started in 39 games with 33 hits 24 runs scored and 10 RBI. Nguyen also fielded 1.000 with 77 putouts and three assists.
Vic Shimabukuro, a sophomore outfielder from Belton, was an Honorable Mention All-ASC selection last season. She played in 27 games with a .308 batting average on the year. Shimabukuro tallied 16 hits with 10 runs scored and nine stolen bases.
UMHB opens play on February 6
th in a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin.
