EDISON, NJ— The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced the 2026 MAAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll and All-MAAC Team on Wednesday morning. The Gaels were predicted to finish fourth and seniors
Brooke Acker and
Hailey Guerrero earned Preseason All-MAAC honors.
The reigning MAAC Champions Marist were tabbed first, earning 11 first place votes. Fairfield was picked second and Siena was selected third by the league coaches. Iona was selected fourth followed by Sacred Heart and Rider to round out the top six.
BROOKE ACKER
The Delran, NJ native is coming off a 2025 campaign that saw her garner All-MAAC First Team honors. Acker started all 50 games for the Gaels and slashed .302/.523/.372 for the year. She totaled 45 hits, a team-high 14 doubles, five home runs and team-best 37 runs batted in. Her nine sacrifice flies led the MAAC and ranked second nationally. Defensively she threw out nine baserunners and caught the Gaels pitching staff that ranked third in the MAAC with a 3.24 earned run average.
HAILEY GUERRERO
The Bellmore, NY native was selected to the All-MAAC First team as an infielder in 2025. She started 49 games for the Maroon & Gold at first base. She registered a team-high .324 batting average, a .438 on-base percentage and a .655 slugging percentage. She led the Gaels with 48 hits on the year. Her 41 runs scored tied the program's single-season record. Guerrero's 14 home runs were the second most in a single season by a Gael and ranked third in the MAAC. She also posted a team-high 28 walks and swiped 14 stolen bases.
2026 MAAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| PLACE |
TEAM |
VOTES (First Place) |
| 1. |
Marist |
167 (11) |
| 2. |
Fairfield |
144 (1) |
| 3. |
Siena |
143 (1) |
| 4. |
Iona |
117 |
| 5. |
Sacred Heart |
109 |
| T6. |
Rider |
103 |
| T6. |
Quinnipiac |
98 |
| 8. |
Canisius |
91 |
| 9. |
Merrimack |
55 |
| 10. |
Manhattan |
54 |
| 11. |
Mount St. Mary's |
50 |
| 12. |
Niagara |
29 |
| 13. |
Saint Peter's |
23 |
2026 Preseason All-MAAC Team
| PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
SCHOOL |
| Brooke Acker |
Catcher |
Sr. |
Iona |
| Hailey Guerrero |
Infielder |
Sr. |
Iona |
| Haley Ahr* |
Infielder |
Gr. |
Marist |
| Kendall Reda-Fehsal |
Infielder |
Jr. |
Rider |
| Emma Petersen |
Infielder |
Sr. |
Siena |
| Ella Johel |
Outfielder |
Jr. |
Canisius |
| Peyton Pusey |
Outfielder |
Sr. |
Marist |
| Mary Fogg |
Outfielder |
Sr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Sienna Kunze |
Utility |
So. |
Marist |
| Gracie Goewey |
Designated Player |
Jr. |
Siena |
| Alyssa Weinberg |
Pitcher |
Sr. |
Fairfield |
| Sam Kowalski |
Pitcher |
Sr. |
Sacred Heart |
UP NEXT
The Gaels kick off the 2026 season on Friday, February 13 down in Florida with a doubleheader at North Florida beginning at 3 p.m. from UNF Softball Complex.
