BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Fairmont State University softball program has been voted as this season's North Division favorites in the 2026 Mountain East Conference preseason poll. The MEC's 11 head coaches each submitted a ballot, but were not permitted to vote for their own team.
Fairmont State topped West Liberty for the top spot in the MEC's North Division, with the Falcons receiving nine of 11 first-place votes. The Hilltoppers received the other two first-place votes. The preseason voting is nearly the same order of finish from the 2025 season, when Fairmont State posted a 36-19-1 overall record and 19-9 conference mark to win the North.
The Falcons have four All-MEC honorees including the Freshman of the Year,
Alexa Foresha. Joining her in the postseason awards that are back for the 2026 season are
Delaney Haller,
Bella Hess,
Caitlin Morey and
Emma Paul.
Fairmont State opens the season on Saturday, February 14 at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. First pitch is set for 9:30 a.m.
2026 Mountain East Conference Softball Preseason Poll
NORTH DIVISION
1. Fairmont State (9) – 49
2. West Liberty (2) – 42
3. Point Park – 26
4. Wheeling – 23
5. Frostburg State – 20
SOUTH DIVISION
1. Charleston (6) – 56
2. Glenville State (4) – 54
3. Davis & Elkins – 40
4. West Virginia Wesleyan (1) – 30
5. Concord – 27
6. West Virginia State – 18
( ) – First-place votes
* Coaches unable to vote for own team
