Claflin is in the top spot of the HBCU Softball preseason poll for D-II programs.
The Panthers were 9-11 in 2020 when the season was abruptly halted, but had 30-plus win seasons in three of the four previous years, including a 37-19 overall record while going undefeated at 18-0 in conference play in 2019.
The 2021 season is tentatively slated to begin on March 13 at Livingstone.
Here is a look at the Division II preseason ranking, according to HBCU Softball:
1. Claflin
2. Tuskegee
3. Winston-Salem State
4. Lincoln (Missouri)
5. Virginia State
6. Savannah State
7. Kentucky State
8. Fort Valley State
9. Miles
10. Fayetteville State