BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Fairmont State University and the University of Charleston have been selected as the divisional favorites for the upcoming Mountain East Conference softball season, the league announced Thursday afternoon. 
 

Fairmont State led the north divisional poll with nine first place votes. 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 were followed by Point Park, Wheeling and Frostburg State in the divisional poll. 
 

After winning their third straight MEC Championship, Charleston was selected as the south divisional favorite, collecting six first place votes. The Golden Eagles ended the year 31-17 overall, 21-9 in MEC play. Charleston concluded their season at the NCAA Atlantic Regionals.
 

Glenville State earned four first place votes in the south divisional poll, respectively. Followed by Davis & Elkins, West Virginia Wesleyan, which had a first place vote, Concord, and West Virginia State rounded out the poll. 
 

The 2026 MEC Softball Preseason Poll was voted on by the league's head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams. 
 

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