NEW YORK -- The St. John’s Red Storm are favored to lead the BIG EAST as announced in Friday’s 2026 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The reigning BIG EAST regular season champions earned 62 total points with six first place votes following a historic 2025 campaign.
Last season, St. John’s owned a 39-17-1 overall record while boasting a 19-5 mark in conference play. Both the 39 overall wins and 19 conference victories marked all-time program highs. After leading the Johnnies to their first back-to-back 30-win seasons in program history, second-year head coach Michelle DePolo and her staff were recognized as BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Red Storm return two First Team All-Conference pitchers in Ana Serafinko and Loreley Francia. Serafinko was named the 2025 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year after setting a new conference single-season strikeout record (153). Also returning is Second Team All-BIG EAST outfielder Jess Bianco.
Creighton was picked to finish second with 51 points and two first place votes after advancing to its second consecutive BIG EAST Championship title game in 2025. Last year’s 30-25 record marked the Bluejays’ first back-to-back 30-win season since 2010.
The Bluejays return two-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Ashten Pierson. She is joined by 2025 Second Team All-BIG EAST selections Lily West (C) and Kaelan Schultz (UT).
UConn, the reigning BIG EAST Tournament champions, tied for second in the preseason poll with 51 total points and one first place vote. Last season, the Huskies claimed the BIG EAST tournament title with the most runs scored by a single team in conference championship history (18). Led by head coach Laura Valentino, the UConn staff was recognized as the NFCA East Regional Coaching Staff of the Year.
Notable returners for the Huskies include 2025 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and D1 Softball Freshman All-American, Cat Petteys, and All-BIG EAST First Team selection Kaitlyn Breslin. Last season, Breslin led the league with 36 in-conference RBI.
Villanova finished fourth in the poll with 50 total points. The Wildcats return 2025 All-BIG EAST First Team selections Maranda Runco and Kat Gallant. Last season, Runco set the BIG EAST single-season home run record (12) while leading the league in slugging percentage (1.029). Gallant led the conference in earned run average (1.84).
Providence was picked to finish fifth with 32 total votes after advancing to the BIG EAST tournament semifinals for the first time since 1994. The Friars return 2025 All-Conference Second Team honorees Elisa Smith and Victoria Grifone. Last season, Smith led Providence in batting average (.390), hits (67), and runs scored (42).
Butler took the sixth slot in the poll with 31 total points. The Bulldogs welcome back unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection Cate Lehner. The outfielder led the league in batting average (.489) and stolen bases (25) last season. She currently sits second in the BIG EAST record book for career stolen bases (47) and ninth for career hits (99).
Seton Hall was selected seventh with 24 total points. The Pirates return a pair of 2025 All-BIG EAST Second Team Selections in pitcher Kyra Kreuscher and second baseman Caroline Hobbes. Last season, Hobbes led the Pirates with 21 runs scored in conference play.
DePaul finished eighth in the poll with 15 total points. The Blue Demons return their top pitcher, Bella Nigey, who tossed a team-high 55 innings in conference competition.
Georgetown was selected to finish ninth with eight total points. The Hoyas return their top offensive weapon, Emily Strittmatter, who paced the squad last season with a team-best .319 batting average in conference play.
Results (First Place Votes)
1. St. John’s – 62 (6)
T2. Creighton – 51 (2)
T2. UConn – 51 (1)
4. Villanova – 50
5. Providence – 32
6. Butler – 31
7. Seton Hall – 24
8. DePaul – 15
9. Georgetown - 8