CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced on Tuesday morning the results of the 2026 MAC Softball Preseason Poll, as voted on by the conference's twelve head coaches. 

The Miami RedHawks were selected as favorites to win the 2026 MAC softball regular season title, receiving 116 points and eight first place votes. The Ohio Bobcats were next in the poll with 108 points, followed by the Ball State Cardinals with 98 points and the Akron Zips with 93 points. The Cardinals received a pair of votes to finish the regular season in first place, while the Bobcats and Zips both garnered a first-place vote as well.

Miami and Ohio tied for the honor of Tournament Champion favorites with five nods apiece from the league’s opposing coaches, while Akron and Ball State also received one vote to emerge with the tournament crown.

The full 2026 preseason poll can be found below:

2026 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Miami – 116 points (8)
2. Ohio – 108 points (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)