Pirates Picked to Finish Seventh in BIG EAST Softball Preaseason Poll

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Seton Hall softball team has been projected to finish seventh in the BIG EAST this season, the conference announced on Friday. The Pirates received 24 points in the poll, which was voted on by the league's head coaches.

St. John's, the 2025 BIG EAST Regular Season Champions, we're picked to top the league once again with 62 points and six first-place votes. UConn, the 2025 BIG EAST Tournament Champions, and Creighton finished tied for second with 51 points. The Blue Jays, however, secured two first-place votes to the Huskies' one.

Seton Hall will look to rebound from a season that saw it narrowly miss the NCAA Tournament on tiebreakers. The Pirates finished seventh overall last season in the BIG EAST with a 29-23 record overall and an 11-13 record in conference play. Despite the lack of postseason play, the Pirates broke multiple individual and single-game records, including for walks and runs in a single game. However, The Hall graduated five senior starters, including All-BIG EAST selection Kelsey Carr and Olivia Gilbert, as well as career doubles record holder Taylor Hill.

The Pirates open the 2026 season on Friday, February 6, at the Frank Griffin Classic hosted by Stetson University, when they take on Indiana State at 12 p.m. The Hall will open its home schedule and BIG EAST play on Friday, March 6, with the start of a three-game series against Creighton. The season culminates with the BIG EAST Championship hosted by DePaul University on May 6-9, with the top four teams qualifying for the tournament.

Results (First Place Votes)
1. St. John's – 62 (6)
T2. Creighton – 51 (2)
T2. UConn – 51 (1)
4. Villanova – 50
5. Providence – 32
6. Butler – 31
7. Seton Hall – 24
8. DePaul – 15
9. Georgetown - 8