FOREST, Va. - The Bridgewater College softball team was selected second in the ODAC preseason poll, released by the league office this afternoon.
No. 2 Virginia Wesleyan (100 points) received the maximum 10 first-place votes, with the Marlins' first-place nod going to BC (87 pts.). No. 7 Randolph-Macon (83 pts.) rounded out the podium, with Lynchburg (73 pts.) and Roanoke (67 pts.) finishing the top five. Shenandoah (49 pts.) followed in sixth with Averett (47 pts.) and Guilford (36 pts.) rounding out the projected tournament field.
The Eagles enter 2026 coming off a successful campaign a year ago. BC finished with a 29-14 record, the most wins for the program since 2012. Bridgewater also finished second in the ODAC standings with an 18-4 mark in league play. The Eagles' ODAC record was their best since 2007's run to the NCAA Tournament.
BC returns eight of its nine primary starters from a season ago, as defending ODAC Coach of the Year
Megan Pleskovic enters her seventh season in Crimson and Gold.
Mackenzie Cauthorn returns to the circle for the Eagles after breaking the program's single-season shutout record and tying the single-season punchout mark as well. Offensively, Bridgewater is led by key returners across the board, highlighted by All-ODAC selections
Caroline Malandra,
Andrea Savage,
McKenna Mueller,
Kaelyn Ramsey and
Lexi Schaaf.
Evelyn Rhoads also returns after an impressive rookie campaign in the circle in 2025.
Bridgewater opens the season with a busy weekend tournament at home Feb. 20-22 as Mt. Alouysius, Wilimington and McDaniel all visit the Nest.
