Bears Picked Fifth in MASCAC Softball Preseason Poll

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University softball team has been picked to finish in fifth place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) standings as the 2026 MASCAC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The Bears received 39 points in the poll. Worcester State University is the preseason favorite to win the MASCAC title as the defending tournament champion Lancer received 60 points and five first-place votes. Two-time defending MASCAC regular season champion Westfield State University placed second in the poll with 58 points and three first-place votes while Framingham State University finished third with 52 points and a first-place vote.

Under the guidance of head coach and BSU Hall of Famer Angela Vecchione (6th Year, 2nd as Head Coach), the Bridgewater State softball team will return to the diamond next month to open the 2026 campaign. Bridgewater finished the 2025 season in fourth place in the MASCAC standings with an 8-6 conference mark (19-18 overall).

Returning 2025 All-MASCAC selections Angelina Lynch (Sr., OF, Taunton, Mass.), Olivia Hargreaves (Jr., P, Weare, N.H.),  Sydney Schaefer (Jr., 3B, Swarthmore, Pa.) and Sidney Schwartz (Jr., C, Chelmsford, Mass.) will help lead the Bears in 2025.

Lynch and Schaefer are joined by Emily Eastman (Sr., C, Cranston, R.I.) as the BSU captains.

The Bears will open the season on Saturday, March 7th (3:00 PM) when they take on the University of Pikeville at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Little River, South Carolina. Bridgewater will play 11 games during the spring break trip before returning North. The Bears' home opener is on Saturday, March 28th, a doubleheader starting at 12:30 PM against MASCAC foe Fitchburg State University.