WESTERVILLE, Ohio - Mount Union has been picked to finish first in the Ohio Athletic Conference this season, as voted on by the league softball coaches.

Mount Union received 81 points and nine first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll. Muskingum received 69 points, followed closely by Baldwin Wallace with 68 points and one first-place vote. Ohio Northern and Wilmington round out the top five, with 54 and 41 points, respectively.

The Purple Raiders are under the direction of ninth-year head coach Meghan Simons. Simons has led the team to seven winning seasons, three OAC Regular Season titles in 2021, 2023 and 2024, an OAC Tournament title in 2023 and two NCAA tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024. Last season the Purple Raiders finished 34-10 (15-1 OAC), won its second-straight OAC regular season title, and advanced to the NCAA Regional Softball Championship.

Mount Union is returning three first team All-OAC selections and National Fastpitch Coaches' Association All-Region team players in Sydney Mercer, Faith Reicosky and Kendyll Cahill.

The Purple Raiders begin its season in Kissimmee, Florida at 'The Spring Games', featuring Mount Union, Transylvania University, Dominican University, North Central University, Wittenberg University, Albertus Magnus College, Beloit College, Husson University, Kean University, Hiram College, Calvin University and Washington College. Games take place Saturday, March 8 through Friday, March 14.