GRINNELL, Iowa – The Illinois College softball team was picked to finish third in the annual Midwest Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced today.
The Lady Blues are coming off a 20-22 season, which included a 12-4 Midwest Conference record. IC returns a pair of all-conference performers in junior catcher
Brooke Loveall and sophomore outfielder
Elysia Hand. Overall, first-year head coach
Samantha Mendez welcomes back 12 letter winners led by seniors
Delaney Melton,
Emma Hardiek,
Kayla Serpa, and
Haley Flores.
Lake Forest was selected by the league coaches as the preseason favorite. The defending champion Foresters received six first-place votes and 62 points to top the nine-team ranking. Last season, Lake Forest won its 13th regular-season title after going undefeated (16-0) in league play. The Foresters have claimed two of the last three MWC crowns.
The MWC Softball Tournament is scheduled for Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10. The top four teams in the league standings, determined by conference win percentage, will compete in the double-elimination event. The winner will be crowned tournament champion and earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
2025 MWC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Lake Forest College (6) - 62 points
2. Grinnell College (2) - 56 points
3. Illinois College (1) - 50 points
4. Cornell College - 46 points
5. Monmouth College - 30 points
6. Lawrence University - 28 points
7. Ripon College - 23 points
8. Beloit College - 21 points
9. Knox College - 8 points
Â
