NEWTOWN, Pa. – Widener softball earned a seventh-place spot in the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Preseason Coaches' Poll prior to the 2026 season, according to an announcement from the conference office on Tuesday, Jan. 20. 

Widener accumulated 14 points in the poll, slotting in between Hood with 24 points and Albright with seven. Eastern topped the rankings with 47 points and five first-place votes, followed by Messiah in second with 44 points and two first-place votes. 
 
Last season, the Pride finished 13-26 overall and 3–11 in MAC Commonwealth play, missing out on a spot in the conference playoffs. 
 
Widener kicks off the 2026 season on Sunday, March 1, traveling to Media, Pa., to face PSU Brandywine in a noon doubleheader. The last match-up between the two teams came on March 19, 2022, with the Pride taking both games, 2-0 and 6-5. 

To read the conference press release, click here.