2026 NAC Softball Preseason Poll & Players to Watch

3/11/2026 1:00:00 PM

WATERVILLE, Maine – The 2026 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Softball Preseason Poll results have been tabulated, and defending champion Husson University has been selected to claim the North Atlantic Conference title this season according to a vote of NAC softball coaches.

The Eagles secured all nine first-place votes and 81 points overall as they head into the 2026 campaign looking to defend their 2026 conference title. SUNY Cobleskill and 2025 runner-up earned second-place with 66 points overall, while Thomas College finished third with 63 points. Rounding out the top five vote getters are UMaine-Farmington (50 points) and SUNY Delhi (49 points), finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

Vermont State University Lyndon notched 27 points for a sixth-place finish followed by Vermont State University Johnson in seventh with 25 points. UMaine-Presque Isle (24 points) and Lesley University (20 points) completed the poll.

Husson enters the season looking to defend their NAC title after an undefeated championship run last spring. The Eagles have captured five straight conference championships.

Under the leadership of head coach Rick Roberts and his staff, the Eagles return three 2025 First Team East All-Conference selections: Lydia Rice, Camryn King, and Ana Lang.

Click on each team below to view their capsules and Players to Watch

2026 NAC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Institution – Points (First Place Votes)

Institution	Husson University
Head Coach:	Rick Roberts
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	64-18/3rd Season
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	64-18/3rd Season
Last Season's Overall Record:	27-12
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	8-0/1st East
No. of Starters Returning:	6
No. of Starters Lost:	3
No. of Returning Roster Players:	11
Top Returning Pitchers:	Ana Lang / P / Junior / Searsport, Maine Jazmin Johnson / P / Junior / Clinton, Maine Sierra Yates / P / Junior / Swanton, Vt.
Top Returning Players:	Lydia Rice / UT / Senior / Winthrop, Maine Camryn King / UT / Junior / Corinna, Maine Morgan Tainter / C / Senior / Gilman, Conn. Morgan Curtis / INF / Senior / New Gloucester, Maine
Top Newcomers:	Sydney Carnes / INF / First-Year / Gilbert, Ariz. Sophia Lynch / C / First-Year / Ellsworth, Maine Lilly Snow / P / First-Year / Hampton Falls, N.H. Jetta Shook / C / First-Year / Penobscot, Maine

Institution	SUNY Cobleskill
Head Coach:	Morgan Flamholtz
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	52-52-1/ 3 seasons
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	52-52-1/ 3 seasons
Last Season's Overall Record:	22-12-1
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	12-0/1st NAC West
No. of Starters Returning:	7
No. of Starters Lost:	3
No. of Returning Roster Players:	9
Top Returning Pitchers:	Gabriella Wendelken / P/UT / Sophomore / Stuyvesant, N.Y. Madelynn Orosz / P/UT / Junior / Seymour, Conn.
Top Returning Players:	Aliyah Neeser / OF / Junior / Forest Lake, Minn. Kylie Rattigan / 2B / Junior / Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Avery Prievo / OF / Sophomore / Camden, N.Y.
Top Newcomers:	Samantha Fausti / OF/SS / First Year / Clayton, Wash. Julia Barrieau / C/OF / First Year / Wolcott, Conn. Sam Lawton / P/INF / First Year / Waterbury, Conn.

Institution	Thomas College
Head Coach:	Jennifer Plourde
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	43-58 3 seasons
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	43-58 3 seasons
Last Season's Overall Record:	17-20
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	6-2/2nd NAC East
No. of Starters Returning:	7
No. of Starters Lost:	2
No. of Returning Roster Players:	14
Top Returning Pitchers:	Megan Oberholzer / P/INF / Senior / Hancock, Md. Addy Boyce / P / Senior / Bar Harbor, Maine Brooklyn Federico / P/2B / Junior / Monmouth, Maine
Top Returning Players:	Megan Oberholzer / P/INF / Senior / Hancock, Md. Brooklyn Federico / P/2B / Junior / Monmouth, Maine Mackenzie Toner / 1B/C / Junior / Augusta, Maine Abby Farone / OF / Graduate Student / Sandown, N.H.
Top Newcomers:	Lillian Noyes / P / Sophomore / Skowhegan Maine Bella Medeiros / C/INF / First-Year / Methuen, Mass. Elisa Gonzalez / INF / First-Year / Donna, Texas

Institution	UMaine-Farmington
Head Coach:	Kiana Thompson Callie Hammer
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	1st Season
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	1st Season
Last Season's Overall Record:	16-18
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	4-4, 3rd NAC East
No. of Starters Returning:	5
No. of Starters Lost:	6
No. of Returning Roster Players:	12
Top Returning Pitchers:	Melissa Mayo / P/OF / Junior / Bridgton, Maine
Top Returning Players:	Jessica Dow / OF / Junior / Saco, Maine Maddie Pike / 3B / Senior / Kennebunk, Maine Melissa Mayo / P/OF / Junior / Bridgton, Maine
Top Newcomers:	Emma DeBoer / P / Junior / Saint Leonard, Maryland Natalie Simpson / P / First-year / Bucksport, Maine

Institution	SUNY Delhi
Head Coach:	Meagan Stone
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	63-126/Seven seasons
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	63-126/Seven seasons
Last Season's Overall Record:	14-20
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	7-5, 2nd NAC West
No. of Starters Returning:	7
No. of Starters Lost:	3
No. of Returning Roster Players:	13
Top Returning Pitchers:	Angelina Dickel / RHP / Junior / Franklinville, N.J.
Top Returning Players:	Stephanie Huckabee / INF / Sophomore / Chittenango, N.Y. Carolina Watson / OF / Junior / Saugerties, N.Y. Carolina Bernard / OF / Sophomore / Buena, N.J.
Top Newcomers:	Taylor Myers / C / First Year / Eagle Bridge, N.Y. Mikayla Wright / RHP / First Year / Grand Gorge, N.Y. Grace Sperry / OF / First Year / Hartwick, N.Y.

Institution	VTSU Lyndon
Head Coach:	Antonia Peretti
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	1st Season
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	1st Season
Last Season's Overall Record:	6-25
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	3-9, 3rd NAC West
No. of Starters Returning:	4
No. of Starters Lost:	6
No. of Returning Roster Players:	4
Top Returning Pitchers:	Riley McNamara / P / Junior / Manchester, N.H.
Top Returning Players:	Kazandra Gonzalez / 3B/OF / Senior / Norwalk, Calif. Lindsey Gannon / C / Senior / Beverly, Mass.
Top Newcomers:	N/A

Institution	Vermont State Johnson
Head Coach:	Jeff Arnold
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	N/A Can't archive records
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	5th Season
Last Season's Overall Record:	6-21
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	2-10, 4th NAC West
No. of Starters Returning:	6
No. of Starters Lost:	4
No. of Returning Roster Players:	8
Top Returning Pitchers:	Hannah Corvino / P/UT / Senior / Milford, N.J.
Top Returning Players:	Kristie Zator / OF/P / Senior / Windham, Conn. Audrey Tembreull / SS / Senior / Vergennes, Vt. Taylor Reddick / 3B / Junior / Pendleton, Ind. Hannah Corvino / P/UT / Senior / Milford, N.J.
Top Newcomers:	Madyson Stingle / P/OF / First-Year / Wrightstown, Wis. Peyton Niles / UT / First-Year / Fairfax, Vt.

Institution	UMaine-Presque Isle
Head Coach:	Billy Manley
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	2-24/1
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	2-24/1
Last Season's Overall Record:	2-24
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	1-7, T-4 NAC East
No. of Starters Returning:	6
No. of Starters Lost:	3
No. of Returning Roster Players:	7
Top Returning Pitchers:	Grace Walsh / P/1B / Senior / Port Jeff Station, N.Y. Megan Buchholz / P/2B / Senior / Garrison, Minn.
Top Returning Players:	Zoe Stewart / 3B / Senior / Pleasant Grove, Prince Edward Island, Canada Sabrina Kauffman / C / Junior / Garrett, Ind. Grace Walsh / P/1B / Senior / Port Jeff Station, N.Y. Megan Buchholz / P/2B / Senior / Garrison, Minn.
Top Newcomers:	Madison Boynton / P/OF / Sophomore / Warren, Maine Keira Greene / 3B/SS / Junior / Baldwin, Maine Briana Perez / P/2B / Sophomore / Hulto, Texas

Institution	Lesley University
Head Coach:	Lou Proietti
Head Coach's Overall Coaching Record/No. of seasons	Total - 23-75/Four Seasons (Softball - 6-26/One season & Baseball - 17-49/Three seasons)
Head Coach's Coaching Record at School/No. of seasons:	6-26/One season
Last Season's Overall Record:	6-26
Last Season's Divisional Record/Finish:	1-7/T-4th East
No. of Starters Returning:	5
No. of Starters Lost:	4
No. of Returning Roster Players:	7
Top Returning Pitchers:	Madison Herbert / P / Senior / Milford, N.H.
Top Returning Players:	Leah St John / C / Junior / New Ipswich, N.H. Bella Moscoso / SS / Junior / El Cajon, Calf. Shae Thomas / OF / Junior / Clayton, N.C.
Top Newcomers:	Eleni Vrahatis / OF / Locust Valley, NY Hailey Scaturro, 3B/1B/C, Blue Point, NY

2026 NAC Players to Watch

Gabriella Wendelken | P/UT | Sophomore | Stuyvesant, N.Y.
Gabriella Wendelken (Stuyvesant, NY), the 2025 NAC Rookie of the Year, leads the Cobleskill returners heading into her sophomore campaign. A true two-way threat, she paced the Tigers with a .396 batting average, 1.095 OPS, and 36 hits, including 12 doubles, a triple, and a home run. She also scored 34 runs, drove in 21, posted a .582 slugging percentage, and reached base at a .513 clip.
Avery Prievo | OF | Sophomore | Camden, N.Y.
Fellow sophomore Avery Prievo (Camden, NY) also returns after emerging as one of the league’s top first-year players last season. She finished in the top 10 in conference play in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, RBIs, doubles, and runs scored.
Angelina Dickel | P/OF | Junior | Franklinville, N.J.
Dickel returns for the 2026 season as the Broncos top pitcher coming off a strong 2025 season, tallying a 6.31 ERA and 34 strikeouts through 57.2 innings of action. A three-year starter and the team captain, Dickel exemplifies leadership. When not on the mound Dickel can be found in the outfield, where she hit .224 with a fielding percentage of .894.
Stephanie Huckabee | INF | Sophomore | Chittenango, N.Y.
After a dominant 2025 that saw her lead the NAC in batting average (.460), OPS (1.239) and doubles (14), Huckabee returns for the 2026 season as the Broncos’ best bat. Combine that with a .931 fielding percentage primarily at shortstop, and Huckabee is a force to be reckoned with for the 2026 season.
Audrey Tembreull | UT | Senior | Vergennes, Vt.
Tembreull played in all 25 games last season for the Badgers making 72 plate appearances. The senior recorded a .375 batting average, .489 on-base percentage, and .583 slugging percentage. She tallied 27 hits with seven doubles and four triples, in addition to 15 RBIs. In the field, Tembreull had 33 put outs and 27 assists for a .857 fielding percentage. Her four triples had her ranked tied for first in the conference.
Kristie Zator | OF/P | Senior | Windham, Conn.
Zator proved to be a powerhouse hitter for Johnson, leading the team in home runs (3) and hits (30). On the year, she recorded six doubles, three triples, while posting a .385 batting average, .462 on-base percentage. Her .654 slugging percentage ranked her third in the NAC. The Connecticut native had 14 appearances in the circle, pitching 26.2 innings and striking out 22 batters.
Ana Lang | P/OF | Junior | Searsport, Maine
Lang enters her third year with Husson and looks to add to her already hall of fame worthy resume after boasting a 1.59 ERA last year with an 8-4 record. Lang hurled 10 complete games and three shutouts, while striking out 107 batters and holding hitters to a .234 batting average in 83.2 innings pitched. Lang was named to the NAC East Division All-Conference team, the NFCA All-Region team and the MCBSA All-State squad.
Camryn King | UT | Junior | Corinna, Maine
King is one of the fastest players on the bases in the NAC and is looking to help the Eagles to another NAC title. King batted .364 last season with a .977 OPS, adding eight doubles and three home runs with 15 RBIs, 16 walks and a 29-35 clip on stolen bases. King was selected to the NAC East Division All-Conference team, the NFCA All-Region team and the MCBSA All-State squad.
Leah St. John | C/INF | Junior | New Ipswich, N.H.
During her 2025 season at Lesley, St. John played in 32 games while taking a career-high 92 at bats. She also set career-highs in hits (29), doubles (11), home runs (2), batting average (.315), on-base percentage (.398), and slugging percentage (.500). The junior from New Hampshire tallied six multi-hit games on the year and recorded a seven-game hitting streak. In the field, St. John notched a career-high .955 fielding percentage while catching a personal best eight runners caught stealing behind the plate.
Bella Moscoso | INF/P | Junior | El Cajon, Calif.
Moscoso returns to the field following a strong sophomore season where she landed a career-high .415 on-base percentage while also recording a .267 batting average and a .293 slugging percentage. The California native tallied 20 hits, three RBIs and 15 walks on the year, along with her first career triple in the Lynx's April 27th game against UMaine-Farmington. She posted a .943 fielding percentage while assisting on 55 plays. Moscoso made her pitching debut during the 2025 season, pitching 17.1 innings and striking out 10 batters, including a career-high five versus Plymouth State (April 5).
Kazandra Gonzalez | 3B/UT | Senior | Norwalk, Calif.
The Hornet's Gonzalez is ready for her senior campaign, playing in 28 games last season and tallying 12 hits, seven RBIs, and five runs. She tallied a .833 field percentage with 33 put outs and seven assists.
Lindsey Gannon | C/UT | Senior | Beverly, Mass.
Gannon returns for her senior season after playing in 27 of the Hornets games last season. She recorded nine hits with two doubles, along with drawing six walks. In the field, she posted a .953 fielding percentage with 74 put outs and 8 assists.
Jessica Dow | OF | Junior | Saco, Maine
Dow once again returns to the middle of the order for the Beavers after receiving back-to-back All-Conference nods during her freshman and sophomore seasons. Dow led the Beavers win hitting each of the last two seasons, hitting .388 last season and .453 as a first-year. In her two seasons, Dow is hitting .416 with 4 home runs, 39 RBIs, 10 Doubles, and 43 runs scored.
Maddie Pike | 3B | Senior | Kennebunk, Maine
Pike has been a mainstay in the Beaver lineup for the past three seasons and will once again handle things at the hot-corner for Farmington. Pike has hit over .300 in each of her three seasons, including hitting .434 as a sophomore and .333 last season. For her career, Pike boasts a .368 batting average, a .419 on-base percentage, four home runs, 28 doubles, 65 runs scored, and 68 runs batted in.
Madison Boynton | P/OF | Sophomore | Warren, Maine
Boynton enters her first season with the Owls, after transferring from Central Maine CC where she pitched in 38.2 innings (nine appearances) and struck out 44 batters (7.97 K/7). She recorded a 3.26 ERA and 1.53 WHIP.
Megan Buchholz | 2B/P | Senior | Garrison, Minn.
Buchholz enters her senior campaign for the Owls. At the plate she posted a .203 batting average with 14 hits, four RBIs, and two doubles. In the field she recorded a .825 fielding percentage with 57 catches, 13 put outs, and 34 assists. Buchholz also pitched for the Owls, making 14 appearances in the circle (60.1 innings) where she struck out 25 batters.
Megan Oberholzer | P/INF | Senior | Hancock, Md.
Oberholzer enters her senior year after three All-Conference selections. Oberholzer has a career batting average of .377, 109 hits, and 138 pitching strikeouts. and will look to make a huge impact both with her bat and in the pitching circle.
Lillian Noyes | P | Sophomore | Skowhegan, Maine
A sophomore transfer from an NCAA Division II school, Noyes will look to make a big splash inside the pitching circle, adding depth and a large amount of talent to an already deep pitching rotation.