ELKINS, W. Va. — Davis & Elkins College softball was picked third in the South Division of the 2026 Mountain East Conference Softball Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches and released Thursday afternoon.

The Senators earned 40 points in the poll, finishing behind defending MEC champion Charleston and Glenville State. 

Davis & Elkins is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, finishing 28-28 overall and 20-10 in conference play. The Senators return a veteran core highlighted by several key contributors on both sides of the ball.

Leading the returning lineup is senior Ashlyn Zapach, the team's top hitter from a season ago. Zapach batted .410 while scoring 38 runs and driving in 52 RBIs. She recorded 26 extra-base hits, including eight home runs, and was named NFCA All-Region as a designated player in addition to earning All-MEC First Team honors.

Senior outfielder Alyssa Haynes also returns after posting a .294 batting average in 2025. Haynes scored 24 runs, tallied 11 extra-base hits and drove in 24 runs for the Senators.

In the circle, Davis & Elkins brings back two of its top pitchers from last season. Fifth-year senior Saylor Kneeland finished the year with a 3.81 ERA and a 14-4 record, striking out 76 batters. Junior Sammie Jarvis, the Senators' ace, recorded a 4.10 ERA while striking out 119 batters and finishing with a 12-13 record. Jarvis posted five shutouts and was named All-MEC Second Team.

Fairmont State was selected as the North Division favorite, while Charleston claimed the top spot in the South Division after winning its third straight MEC Championship in 2025.

The 2026 MEC Softball Preseason Poll was voted on by the league's head coaches.

2026 MOUNTAIN EAST CONFERENCE SOFTBALL PRESEASON POLL

NORTH DIVISION

1. Fairmont State – 49 (9)

2. West Liberty – 42 (2)

3. Point Park – 26

4. Wheeling – 23

5. Frostburg State – 20

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Charleston – 56 (6)

2. Glenville State – 54 (4)

3. Davis & Elkins – 40

4. West Virginia Wesleyan – 30 (1)

5. Concord – 27

6. West Virginia State – 18

( ) – First-place votes

Click here to view the full release on the Mountain East Conference website.