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CLEVELAND -- The Ohio softball team was selected to finish second in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches, the conference announced today (Feb. 4). The Bobcats were also tied in a vote as favorites to capture the MAC Tournament title.
Overall, Ohio collected 108 points and one first-place vote, while receiving five votes to win the tournament.
Miami was selected to finished first with 116 points and eight first place votes, and tied Ohio with five votes to win the MAC Tournament title.
Following Ohio is Ball State with 98 points and two first-place votes, while Akron was picked fourth with 93 points and one first-place votes. Both Ball State and Akron earned one vote to win the MAC Tournament.
Central Michigan (77), Toledo (72), Northern Illinois (71), Western Michigan (41), Buffalo (40), Bowling Green (34), UMass (23) and Kent State (19) round out this year's poll.
The Bobcats are coming off a 37-19 season with an 18-8 mark in MAC play and finished the regular season second in the conference. The Bobcats return reigning MAC Pitcher of the Year
Skipp Miller and All-MAC Selections
Brenna Farmer and
Abby Kennelly, as well as Hall returning as the reigning MAC Coach of the Year. Ohio also welcomes three transfers and six freshmen to the roster for this upcoming season.
Ohio opens the 2026 season this weekend at the 2026 Founders Classic Feb. 6-8. The three-day classic is hosted by USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. at Cyrill Stadium. The weekend begins on Friday, Feb. 6 when Ohio takes on Saint Francis at 10 a.m. ET. The Bobcats are back in action later that afternoon against Towson at 12:30 p.m. ET. Ohio is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 7 when Ohio once again takes on Towson. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. ET. Ohio will conclude Saturday against host USC Upstate at 3 p.m. ET. The Bobcats wrap up the weekend on Sunday, Feb. 8 against USC Upstate. First pitch is set for 12:20 p.m. ET. The Bobcats' game this weekend will not be live streamed, but fans can follow along with live stats for all five games.
2026 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Miami – 116 points (8)
2. Ohio – 108 (1)
3. Ball State – 98 points (2)
4. Akron – 93 points (1)
5. Central Michigan – 77 points
6. Toledo – 72 points
7. Northern Illinois – 71 points
8. Western Michigan – 41 points
9. Buffalo – 40 points
10. Bowling Green – 34 points
11. Massachusetts – 23 points
12. Kent State – 19 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Miami (5), Ohio (5), Akron (1), Ball State (1)
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