MINOT, N.D. – After back-to-back trips to the postseason, the Minot State softball team has once again been picked by the NSIC coaches to return to the playoffs as the Beavers were picked to finish 8^th in the league in the 2026 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll, released today.

"I am excited about the level of experience we return to the field this season," Minot State head coach Sal Rodriguez said. "We have a group of battle-tested players who have played in meaningful games and have grown a lot over their time here at Minot State.

"I am also excited about the new talent we have added to our team," he added. "We have a mix of transfers, as well as first-year players, who have shown they are ready to make an impact on our team."

While the Beavers were picked 8^th with 133 points, five-time defending regular-season champion Augustana was selected to once again win the league title with 221 points and 12 first-place votes. Winona State was picked 2^nd with 202 points and the remaining 4 first-place votes.

Minnesota State was picked 3^rd with 197 points, Minnesota Duluth was picked 4^th with 193 points, St. Cloud State was picked 5^th with 175 points, Concordia-St. Paul was picked 6^th with 148 points, Wayne State was picked 7^th with 138 points, Minot State was picked 8^th with 133 points, Southwest Minnesota State was picked 9^th with 111 points, Sioux Falls was picked 10^th with 96 points, Minnesota State Moorhead was picked 11^th with 80 points, Bemidji State was picked 12^th with 68 points, Northern State was picked 13^th with 56 points, Minnesota Crookston was picked 14^th with 43 points, Jamestown was picked 15^th with 42 points, and Mary was picked 16^th with 27 points.

Along with releasing the Coaches' Poll, the NSIC also named its Preseason Players of the Year and highlighted a player and pitcher to watch from each team, with Minot State senior catcher Anna LaCount and junior pitcher Katie Newberry being highlighted for the Beavers.

Augustana's junior outfielder Desi Cuevas, a First Team All-Central Region performer last season, was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, while Winona State's junior right-handed pitcher Izzy Howe, who had 21 wins and 207 strikeouts last season, was named the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

As for Minot State's LaCount, she led Minot State in batting average (.361) and home runs (7) last season, and was second on the team with 28 RBIs. Defensively, behind the plate, she also threw out 10-of-27 base stealers.

"Anna has been a model of consistency both offensively and defensively," Coach Rodriguez said. "Over the past couple of seasons, Anna has learned to effectively communicate with and lead our pitching staff. She has shown not only growth from her freshman season, but also the ability to be consistent. We look forward to seeing her leverage her experience this season and be a key leader for our team."

Newberry is a transfer from Kankakee Community College in Illinois, where she won 20 games and had 5 saves in 45 appearances with a 2.86 ERA and 208 strikeouts over two seasons.

"Katie has been a fantastic addition to our team and pitching staff," Minot State's coach said. "As a JUCO transfer, Katie brings lots of experience and has been a valuable leader on our team. Katie is the type of player that leads by example and makes the team and her teammates better with her daily energy and effort."

Minot State opens the 2026 season next weekend, hosting its annual Bubble Invitational. The Beavers will play a doubleheader against Montana State Billings on Friday, January 30, at 5 p.m., and against Black Hills State on Saturday, January 31, at 5 p.m.

Black Hills State will play Mary in a doubleheader starting at noon on Friday, MSU Billings plays Mary in a twinbill at noon on Saturday, then Black Hills State plays a final doubleheader against MSU Billings at 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 1.
 

2026 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll

RANK	TEAM	POINTS
1	Augustana (12)	221
2	Winona State (4)	202
3	Minnesota State	197
4	Minnesota Duluth	183
5	St. Cloud State	175
6	Concordia-St. Paul	148
7	Wayne State	138
8	Minot State	133
9	Southwest Minnesota State	111
10	Sioux Falls	96
11	MSU Moorhead	80
12	Bemidji State	68
13	Northern State	56
14	Minnesota Crookston	43
15	Jamestown	42
16	Mary	27