BOSTON - The University at Albany softball team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2026 America East Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Tuesday.
 
UAlbany earned 13 points to earn the fourth-place preseason poll spot. 
 
Reigning champions, Binghamton tallied a unanimous first-place finish with 25 points and five first-place votes. Unable to vote for themselves, the Bearcats' first-place vote went to Bryant, who finished second with 19 points.
 
UMBC was just ahead of UAlbany with 15 points while UMass Lowell was just behind with 11. Maine rounded out the teams in sixth with seven points.
 
The America East Conference continued their new Preseason All-Conference Team for the sport of softball for a second year. Sophomore standout, Taylor Quinn, was honored with the only UAlbany spot on the team.
 
Quinn ended her first season as a Great Dane on the America East All-Conference Second Team. She finished second on the team with a .324 batting average, 44 hits, and 25 RBI, while sharing the conference lead with four triples. Overall, the Latham, N.Y. native tallied 13 multi-hit and six multi-RBI games.
 
For the full preseason poll and preseason team, see below.
 
UAlbany is scheduled to open the 2026 season at the Scotsman Invitational, hosted by Presbyterian, starting February 13.
 
2026 America East Softball Preseason Poll 
School - Points (1^st place votes)
1. Binghamton - 25 (5)
2. Bryant - 19 (1)
3. UMBC - 15
4. UAlbany - 13
5. UMass Lowell - 11
6. Maine - 7
 
2026 America East Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
C - Elisa Allen (Binghamton)
1B - Emma Lawson (Binghamton
2B - Akira Kopec (Binghamton)
3B - Emily Riggs (UMBC)
SS - Amaya Carroll (UMBC)
OF - Maddy Dodig (Binghamton)
OF - Taylor Quinn (UAlbany)
OF - Thyanais Santiago (UMass Lowell)
OF - Ella Squaires (UMBC)
DP - Rachel Carey (Binghamton)
UTL - Lexi Powell (Bryant)
P - Olivia Decitise (UMass Lowell)
P - Olivia Kennedy (Binghamton)
P - Brianna Roberts (Binghamton)
 
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