NEWTOWN, Pa. (Softball) - The Eastern Eagles were selected as the favorite in the 2026 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth softball coaches. The Eagles collected five first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 47 points.
Below is the complete 2026 MAC Commonwealth Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
2026 MAC Commonwealth Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
(1st Place Votes) |
| 1 |
Eastern |
47 |
(5) |
| 2 |
Messiah |
44 |
(2) |
| T3 |
Alvernia |
31 |
|
| T3 |
York |
31 |
|
| 5 |
Stevenson |
26 |
|
| 6 |
Hood |
24 |
(1) |
| 7 |
Widener |
14 |
|
| 8 |
Albright |
7 |
|
In 2025, #1 seeded Messiah University claimed its 12th MAC Commonwealth title in program history with a doubleheader sweep over #2 seeded Eastern. Maggie Chinnadurai was named the 2025 Tournament MVP, pitching both games combining for over 200 pitches, nine strikeouts, and one shutout.
Messiah's season ended in the NCAA Regional final with a 12-4 loss to No. 3 Virginia Wesleyan.
Eastern earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament and would also fall in the NCAA Regional final to Moravian University.
The 2026 season is set to begin Friday, Feb. 20. Conference play will begin on Saturday, March 14.
The 2026 MAC Commonwealth Softball Championship is set for April 30 - May 2. The top-four seeds will battle for the conference title and the NCAA Division III Championship automatic qualifier (AQ).