GLENSIDE - The Arcadia University softball team will look to make a return to the conference tournament as it heads into the 2026 season.

"It really boils down to competitive toughness and growth," Third-year head coach Sarah Birchmeier explained when asked about her expectations for this years team. "We are working really hard in preseason to develop really strong habits to have us in a situation to control what we can control in every environment and against every opponent and put ourselves in the best position to complete for a MAC Freedom title.

In the circle, the Knights return Lizie Lopez, Dakota Fanelli, Mac Champion, Caity Hinton, and Stephanie Binek return while Madison Noveck will look to break through in her first season. 

Behind the plate, Molly Delio leads the way and will be joined by Breanna Farrow and newcomers Kiersten Murray, Maddie Porter, and Maddie DeChristopher.

On the infield, the starting infield from a season ago of Fanelli, Alexa Kozarski, Kyleigh Mihalik, and Hinton returns from left to right. Returners include Samantha Edwards, Abby Jones, Taylor Migliore, and Sybella DeMaio, while first-years Jadelin Chui, Isabel Vitense, Sofia Forbito, Sophia Passaro, and Caitlynn Pleska will look to make an impact.

In the outfield, newcomers Kritzie Diaz-Rivera and Sadie Drozdowski will join Farrow, DeChristopher, DeMaio, and Passaro will look to secure time after the Knights graduated multiple outfielders last year.

The Knights begins the 2026 season this Saturday when they travel to Ursinus for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader. Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play commences March 21st at Lebanon Valley while the MAC Freedom Tournament is scheduled to begin April 30th at the highest seed.