BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. - The Point Park softball team was picked to finish third in the Mountain East Conference Softball North Division Poll, the league office announced on Thursday afternoon following a vote of the league's coaches.
Point Park is coming off a 17-30 overall record in 2025, finishing third in the division's final season standings. The Pioneers return an experienced roster in 2026, including second team All-MEC outfielder
Mia Arndt. Arndt batted .383 last season with one home run, 12 doubles and 20 runs batted in. Arndt had a .571 slugging percentage with 17 stolen bases last season.
The Pioneers also welcome back
Emma Henry and
Gianna Welsh this spring. Henry batted .306 with six doubles and 17 RBIs last season, while Welsh hit .243 with three home runs and 22 RBIs.
Fairmont State and the University of Charleston have been selected as the divisional favorites for the upcoming MEC softball season.
Fairmont State led the north divisional poll with nine first-place votes (49 points). The Falcons finished the 2025 season 36-19-1, with a 19-9 mark in conference play. Additionally in the north, West Liberty picked up two first-place votes. The Hilltoppers (42) were followed by Point Park (26), Wheeling (23) and Frostburg State (20) in the divisional poll.
After winning their third straight MEC Championship, Charleston was selected as the south divisional favorite, collecting six first place votes (56 points). The Golden Eagles ended the year 31-17 overall, 21-9 in MEC play in 2015.
Also in the south voting, Glenville State (54) earned four first place votes to take the second spot, followed by Davis & Elkins (40), West Virginia Wesleyan (30), which had a first place vote, Concord (27), and West Virginia State (18).
The 2026 MEC Softball Preseason Poll was voted on by the league's 11 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
Point Park opens the season on Sunday, March 1, hosting D'Youville in a doubleheader at Fairhaven Park. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
2026 Mountain East Conference Softball Preseason Poll
NORTH DIVISION
1. Fairmont State - 49 (9)
2. West Liberty - 42 (2)
3. Point Park - 26
4. Wheeling - 23
5. Frostburg State - 20
SOUTH DIVISION
1. Charleston - 56 (6)
2. Glenville State - 54 (4)
3. Davis & Elkins - 40
4. West Virginia Wesleyan - 30 (1)
5. Concord - 27
6. West Virginia State - 18
( ) – First-place votes
* Coaches unable to vote for own teams
