Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
GRINNELL, Iowa – A vote of the league's head coaches revealed Lake Forest College as the preseason favorite to repeat as Midwest Conference (MWC) softball champion.
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.
Grinnell College placed second, earning two first-place votes and 56 points. The Pioneers have won the last two MWC softball tournament titles, representing the league in the NCAA Tournament. Grinnell last won the regular-season title in 2023, sharing it with Illinois College, which received the final first-place vote and 50 points in this year's poll to secure third place.
Cornell College finished fourth with 46 points, followed by Monmouth College in fifth (30 points) and Lawrence University in sixth (28 points).
The poll rounds out with Ripon College (23), Beloit College (21), and Knox College (8).
The 2025 season begins Saturday, February 15, with Illinois College and Monmouth College in non-conference action. Eight teams will open MWC play on Saturday, April 5.
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.
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all nine teams can be found below.
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
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Kim Zarling (18th Season)
2024 Season: 10-28 Overall; 5-11 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Siddalee Meyers (Sr – Outfield)
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Jackie Yoder (8th Season)
2024 Season: 16-19 Overall; 10-6 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Addie Bowman (Sr – Outfield), Miranda Keith (Fifth Year – Catcher), Elise Oleson (So – Infield), Peyton Souhrada (Jr – Outfield)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Lexy Determan (4th Season)
2024 Season: 27-16 Overall; 13-3 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Hannah Dykstra (Sr – Shortstop)
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Samantha Mendez (1st Season)
2024 Season: 20-22 Overall; 12-4 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Elysia Hand (So – Outfield), Brooke Loveall (Jr – Catcher)
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Casey Hipp (2nd Season)
2024 Season: 2-31 Overall; 0-16 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Maddie Hicks (Jr – Infield/Pitcher), Taylynn Kizer (Fifth Year - Outfield)
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: Joe Kinsella (19th Season)
2024 Season: 30-13-1 Overall; 16-0 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Kyla Chevalier (Jr – Utility), Kayla Collings (Jr – Pitcher), Kelly Collins
(Sr – Second Base), Cadence Dempsey (Jr – Third Base), Kaia Mismash (So – Outfield, 2024 MWC Newcomer of the Year), Emmie Nyen (Jr – Outfield), Kaylee Purgatorio (Sr – Shortstop)
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Korey Krueger (1st Season)
2024 Season: 14-24 Overall; 5-11 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Monmouth College Scots
Head Coach: Tyler Inselmann (1st Season)
2024 Season: 8-31 Overall; 6-10 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Karleigh Ashby (Jr – Second Base), Savannah Powers (So – Catcher)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Emilia Jackson (1st Season)
2024 Season: 11-25 Overall; 5-11 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Kayla Cruz (Jr – First Base)