ASHLAND – The proverbial target will be on the Southern Oregon University softball team's back again in 2027, as indicated by Wednesday's Cascade Conference preseason coaches' poll.

SOU commanded six of nine first-place votes to take the top spot within a circuit that put five teams in the 2026 NAIA postseason Top 25. The usual suspects – Oregon Tech, Eastern Oregon and College of Idaho – were next in line.

The Raiders will be coming off their eighth World Series appearance in nine seasons – and seeking a fourth consecutive odd-year national championship. They went 45-15 in 2026, finished third in the conference regular season standings, and went on an eight-game postseason winning streak to capture CCC Tournament and NAIA Opening Round titles.

They lost a few all-stars but returned five regular starters, including 2025 NAIA Pitcher of the Year and '26 All-American Ayla Davies. She'll bring 65 career victories in the circle to her junior season. Outfielder Kalea Thomas will be following up on an All-CCC freshman campaign in which she batted .413, and Brooke Nordahl will lead as a fourth-year starter on the infield.

The marquee signing of a highly-touted 12-person recruiting class was another College of San Mateo (Calif.) transfer, Nia Mapa, the 2026 NorCal Player of the Year. She hit .452 with 18 home runs as a sophomore and went 14-0 with a 1.24 ERA over two seasons with the Bulldogs.

Last season's Raiders landed at No. 5 in the final Top 25. The 2027 NAIA preseason poll will be released next week.


2027 CCC SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL

Team (1st-place votes)	Points
1. Southern Oregon (6)	75
2. Oregon Tech (1)	70
3. Eastern Oregon (2)	69
4. College of Idaho	64
5. British Columbia	51
6. Simpson	38
7. Warner Pacific	36
8. Corban	33
9. Bushnell	25