FOREST, Va. – Averett University softball was picked to finish seventh in the 2026 ODAC softball preseason rankings, which came out on Friday.
2025 National runners-up in Virginia Wesleyan University took all but one first place vote as the top ranked team in the conference poll. Bridgewater College, in second, grabbed the remaining first place vote. Randolph-Macon College finished out the top three.
The University of Lynchburg and Roanoke College were placed in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Just above Averett in sixth is Shenandoah University.
Averett's 18-25 record last spring was good enough for the ODAC tournament, winning a game in pod play before bowing out to Lynchburg. The Cougars retain all-conference talent in juniors
Carson Bradsher and
Mackenzie Newcomb, while also spearheading a veteran top of the pitching order in
Sarah Lysohir and
Kaci Stephenson.
Averett opens up the season with a home doubleheader at Cougar Field on Saturday, Feb. 15, against Methodist University.
| 2026 ODAC Preseason Softball Poll |
| Rank |
Institution (1st Place Votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Virginia Wesleyan^ (10) |
100 |
| 2. |
Bridgewater (1) |
87 |
| 3. |
Randolph-Macon |
83 |
| 4. |
Lynchburg |
73 |
| 5. |
Roanoke |
67 |
| 6. |
Shenandoah |
49 |
| 7. |
Averett |
47 |
| 8. |
Guilford |
36 |
| 9. |
Randolph |
26 |
| 10. |
Sweet Briar |
19 |
| 11. |
Eastern Mennonite |
18 |
|
|
|
| ^Defending ODAC Champion |
