MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The MSOE softball team was voted 5^th in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Preseason Poll released on Thursday, as voted on by the league's head softball coaches and athletics communications professionals.

MSOE was awarded 223 points in this year's poll, coming off an 21-23 record last season that saw the Raiders go 15-9 in conference play, going on a Cinderella run to the semifinals in the NACC Tournament.  CUW secured the top spot with 321 points and 14 first-place votes, just ahead of second place Benedictine University and third place Dominican University.

The Raiders return several starters, including returning All-NACC First Team selections Jayda Nelson and Katie Pollock.  Nelson posted a .401 batting average last season, driving in 38 runs for the Raiders on 57 hits, leading the team in both categories.  Pollock was the only hitter to post a better average than Nelson, as the primary pitcher for the Red and White also hit .408 at the plate last season.  Pollock posted a 13-11 record in the circle, throwing 157.2 innings for the Raiders while racking up 140 strikeouts.  Also returning for the Red and White is All-NACC Honorable Mention Autumn Sadler, who hit .324 in her first season behind the dish, scoring 25 runs for the Red and White.

The Raiders 2026 campaign kicks off on Thursday, February 26^th against Carroll University in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.  Game one of their doubleheader is set for 4:30 P.M.

For up-to-the-minute MSOE Raiders news, visit us at MSOERaiders.com. You can also follow the Red & White on Twitter @MSOE_Raiders and @msoe_raiders on Instagram.