The Ohio Valley Conference announced the 2026 OVC Softball preseason poll this morning with the Lions projected to finish fourth in the conference which was voted upon by the OVC communication directors and softball head coaches. Lindenwood received 108 votes and trailed only Eastern Illinois (138), SIUE (139), and SEMO (148), who was picked to win the conference. Rounding out the preseason poll was Southern Indiana (107), Tennessee Tech (75), Tennessee State (68), UT Martin (55), Western Illinois (41), and Morehead State (21).
In addition to the preseason poll being released, the returning All-OVC players from 2025 and the 2026 preseason players to watch list was included. The Lions return three players from the All-OVC list from 2025 in
Nicole Henson,
Avery Wapp, and
Tori Hatton. Henson led the 2025 squad in stolen bases with 10 and also had a batting average of .354 to go along with an on base percentage of .421, which both ranked second on the team last season. Meanwhile, Hatton led LU last season in home runs (8), total bases (68), and slugging percentage (.507). On the defensive side, Wapp appeared in 32 games and had a team leading ERA of 2.40 in 128.1 innings pitched. Wapp struck out a team-high 138 batters and recorded six of the teams eight saves in 2025.
Among the players to watch,
Ryleigh Owens was the only Lion to appear on that list. Owens started 17 games in 2025 and struck out 69 batters over 111.1 innings pitched. In her Junior season, Owens recorded two saves and 11 wins with an ERA of 2.89 which ranked second on the team.
Lindenwood softball opens the season in less than two weeks as they will travel to Alabama for the Alabama State Stinger Classic on February 6 and 7 in Montgomery, AL.
2026 OVC Softball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Southeast Missouri (8) - 148
2. SIUE (8) – 139
3. Eastern Illinois (3) – 138
4. Lindenwood – 108
5. Southern Indiana (1) – 107
6. Tennessee Tech – 75
7. Tennessee State – 68
8. UT Martin – 55
9. Western Illinois – 41
10. Morehead State - 21
Returning All-OVC
Morgan Hance, OF, Eastern Illinois
Karlie McKenzie, P, Eastern Illinois
Tori Hatton, IF, Lindenwood
Nicole Henson, OF, Lindenwood
Avery Wapp, P, Lindenwood
Maddy Christopher, OF, Morehead State
Sela Pickford, IF, Morehead State
Brooklyn Saysoff, IF, Southeast Missouri
Madison Winkler, OF, Southeast Missouri
Avery Arwood, P, SIUE
Jordan Mackey, C/IF, Southern Indiana
Caroline Stapleton, OF, Southern Indiana
Kylie Witthaus, P, Southern Indiana
Hailey Hunt, OF, Tennessee State
Payton Brown, IF/UT, Western Illinois
Watch List
Abi Hatton, UT, Eastern Illinois
Bryana French, P, Eastern Illinois
Ryleigh Owens, P, Lindenwood
Sydney Farmer, C/3B, Morehead State
Rylie Burney, P, Morehead State
Maddie Carney, P, Southeast Missouri
Aubrie Shore, IF, Southeast Missouri
Kaylin Fahy, OF, SIUE
Raegan Duncan, IF, SIUE
Sydney Long, 2B, Southern Indiana
Kate Satkoski, OF, Southern Indiana
Jace Jackson, MI, Tennessee State
Kailyn Jean-Baptiste, IF, Tennessee State
Emily York, P, Tennessee Tech
Olivia Evans, OF, Tennessee Tech
Avary Makarewicz, C, UT Martin
Dylan Scott, UT, UT Martin
Lillie Wools, P/UT, Western Illinois
Sophia Sanchez, 2B, Western Illinois
