SB: Warriors Tabbed First in Preseason GPAC Poll

Courtesy of Midland Athletics

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) released its preseason coaches’ poll, with Midland University earning the top spot. The Warriors totaled 114 points and were the coaches’ preseason selection to win the 2026 GPAC Softball Championship.

Midland is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which the Warriors advanced to the NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia, and finished the season with a 40-18 record. Morningside University and Northwestern College rounded out the top three in the poll.

The GPAC postseason tournament will feature two four-team, double-elimination brackets consisting of seeds 1, 4, 5, and 8, and seeds 2, 3, 6, and 7. The tournaments will be held April 29-30 at the sites of the top two seeds. The two bracket winners will then meet in the GPAC Championship, a best-of-three series, on Saturday, May 2, at the highest remaining seed.

Midland opens the 2026 season this weekend with four games in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Friday and Saturday. The Warriors will face Mount Mercy and Mayville State on Friday before taking on Culver-Stockton and Benedictine on Saturday inside the Dordt Dome. Midland’s home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, against Concordia. For a complete look at the 2026 Midland softball schedule, CLICK HERE.

2026 GPAC Softball Coaches’ Poll