COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — MSU Denver softball was picked among the RMAC's top contenders ahead of the 2026 season, earning a third-place ranking in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, as released by the conference Thursday afternoon.

The Roadrunners finished No. 3 in the preseason poll with 102 points, collecting two first-place votes, two second-place votes, and five third-place votes. MSU Denver sits behind Colorado Christian, the defending RMAC regular-season and tournament champion, and Colorado Mesa, which were picked first and second, respectively. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

In addition to the strong preseason ranking, MSU Denver had junior pitcher Natalie Romero named to the 2026 Preseason All-RMAC Softball Team. Romero, a native of Anaheim, California, earned preseason recognition after being named a second team All-RMAC selection last season. She returns as one of the conference's premier arms and is expected to play a key role in the Roadrunners' pitching staff in 2026.

The Roadrunners are one of three programs in the league to earn first-place votes in the poll, joining Colorado Christian and Colorado Mesa, signaling strong respect from conference coaches entering the season. With Romero anchoring the pitching staff and a veteran core returning, MSU Denver enters the spring positioned to challenge for an RMAC title.

The RMAC's 12 softball programs will compete throughout the spring with the season culminating at the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee. MSU Denver opens its season next weekend, looking to turn preseason expectations into postseason success.