ATLANTA, Ga. (February 6, 2025) - After a record-breaking 2024 campaign that saw them finish as NCAA Division III National Runners-Up, Belhaven University softball team has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2025 Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Softball Preseason Poll. The Blazers earned 62 points and six first-place votes in the poll, as voted on by the league’s nine head coaches.
Belhaven’s 47 wins last season marked their highest total since 2011, and they dominated CCS play with a 15-1 record. Though they fell to Maryville in the CCS Championship, the Blazers secured their fourth straight NCAA Regional bid and third consecutive Super Regional appearance, culminating in their first-ever Division III World Series berth. Key returners include catcher Anna Caime, who delivered a dramatic walk-off home run against Berry to send the Blazers to the World Series. Madi Miller and Ellie Jones also return to anchor the lineup, looking to build on the offensive firepower that has propelled Belhaven’s success in recent years.
Right on Belhaven’s heels in the preseason poll is Huntingdon, which earned 57 points and three first-place votes after a program-best 33-8 record in 2024. The Hawks finished atop the conference standings and earned the right to host both the CCS Championship Tournament and an NCAA Regional. Looking to defend their spot among the league’s elite, Huntingdon returns 2024 CCS Player of the Year Jordan Holman and CCS Rookie Pitcher of the Year Allie Roberts. Under the leadership of 2024 CCS Coach of the Year Casey Chrietzberg, the Hawks have their sights set on making another deep postseason run.
Reigning CCS Champions Maryville were picked third in the preseason poll with 51 points, aiming to defend their 2024 conference title. The Scots set program records last year with 35 wins and a .729 winning percentage, capping off their season with an undefeated CCS Tournament run and a dramatic 6-5 championship victory over Belhaven. Returning to lead the Scots is second-team all-conference slugger Paige Dickinson, who posted a .484 slugging percentage last season. With a championship pedigree and momentum from last year’s historic season, Maryville remains a strong contender in 2025.
Selected fourth in the preseason poll with 43 points, Piedmont looks to maintain its standing after back-to-back fourth-place finishes in the CCS. The Lions finished 18-21 overall and 10-6 in conference play in 2024. Piedmont’s offense will be led by senior utility player Jasmine Lowery, who topped the team in slugging percentage (.527) and RBI (25) while starting 38 games last season.
LaGrange enters 2025 ranked fifth with 34 points, hoping to rebound from a 13-29 record (7-9 CCS) and a tough finish to the CCS Tournament. The Panthers fought valiantly, overcoming a late 6-2 deficit against Piedmont before falling in a heartbreaking walk-off loss. Returning to lead the Panthers is junior pitcher Claire Chamberlain, who posted a 4.54 ERA—ranking eighth among CCS starters in 2024.
Newcomer Asbury makes its CCS debut this season, landing at No. 6 in the preseason poll with 30 points. The Eagles will look to establish themselves in conference play, led by sophomores Kaylee Korros and Katelyn Bolin, along with senior Kaitlyn Wilson.
Covenant rounds out the preseason poll in seventh place with 18 points, eager to exceed expectations and move up the standings. Agnes Scott College follows in eighth with 17 points, while Wesleyan finishes in ninth with 12 points.
Conference play kicks off on Friday, March 14, with several conference teams taking to the field. Follow all the CCS softball action with updated scores, schedules at standings at
www.collegiateconferenceofthesouth.com.
The 2025 CCS Softball Championship Tournament will feature the Top 6 teams on Wednesday, April 30 and the championship game is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 hosted by the highest-seeded team.
Below is a look at the 2025 CCS Softball Preseason Poll. First-place votes are in parentheses:
2025 CCS SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL
| 1. Belhaven |
62 (6) |
| 2. Huntingdon |
57 (3) |
| 3. Maryville |
51 |
| 4. Piedmont |
43 |
| 5. LaGrange |
34 |
| 6. Asbury |
30 |
| 7. Covenant |
18 |
| 8. Agnes Scott |
17 |
| 9. Wesleyan |
12 |
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
Follow all things #CCSSB on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram at @ccofsouth for all the latest news around the league.