NEWTOWN, Pa. (Softball) - The Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen were selected as the favorite to repeat as champions in the 2026 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom softball coaches. The Flying Dutchmen collected six first-place votes from opposing coaches for a total of 48 points. Misericordia followed with two first-place votes.
Below is the complete 2026 MAC Freedom Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
2026 MAC Freedom Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
(1st Place Votes) |
| 1 |
Lebanon Valley |
48 |
(6) |
| 2 |
Misericordia |
40 |
(2) |
| 3 |
Stevens |
35 |
|
| 4 |
DeSales |
27 |
|
| 5 |
Delaware Valley |
24 |
|
| 6 |
Arcadia |
22 |
|
| 7 |
FDU-Florham |
21 |
|
| 8 |
King's |
7 |
|
In 2025, LVC won its second consecutive MAC Freedom title with a 2-0 shutout win over #3 seeded Misericordia in the title game. The Dutchmen have now won seven titles as a member of the MAC (five MAC Commonwealth and two MAC Freedom titles). Abby Reed was named 2025 Tournament MVP, pitching a complete-game shutout en route to the championship victory.
The Flying Dutchmen's season ended with a loss against No. 17 Case Western Reserve in the NCAA Regional round.
The 2026 season is set to begin on Friday, Feb. 20. Conference play will begin on Saturday, March 14.
The 2026 MAC Freedom 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).