St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Picked First in 2026 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1/16/2026 1:01:00 PM | Softball
The Red Storm tops preseason ranking for first time since 2018
NEW YORK - The St. John's softball team has been predicted to finish first in the 2026 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced on Friday.
This marks the Red Storm's highest preseason ranking since 2018, when it was picked to win the conference for the second straight season. The Johnnies totaled 62 points including six out of a possible eight first-place votes. 2025 BIG EAST Tournament champion UConn and Creighton tied for second with 51 points apiece.
Head Coach Michelle DePolo enters her third season at the helm of the St. John's softball program. In 2025, DePolo led the Johnnies to their fourth BIG EAST regular season title and highest win total in program history with 39 victories. Following the historic campaign, DePolo and assistant coaches Marissa Rizzi and Sean Crowell were named the 2025 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Johnnies return four ALL-BIG EAST selections in 2026 led by 2025 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year and ALL-BIG EAST First Team selection Ana Serafinko, who ranked among the league's top two in ERA (2.25) and allowed 49 hits in 10 starts during a dominant junior campaign. Joining her is fellow ALL-BIG EAST First Team honoree Loreley Francia, who paced the conference with a 1.98 ERA and just 34 hits allowed in her junior season. The veteran group also features ALL-BIG EAST Second Team selections Jess Bianco and Madison Konopka. Bianco set single-season program records in runs scored (54) and hits (74) while batting .389, the second highest average on the team. Konopka delivered an impressive freshman year with 44 hits, six doubles and scored 23 runs. She earned BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors on March 17.
DePolo and the Red Storm will kick off the 2026 season on Feb. 6 when they travel to Charleston, S.C., to take on Siena at the Charleston Invitational.
This marks the Red Storm's highest preseason ranking since 2018, when it was picked to win the conference for the second straight season. The Johnnies totaled 62 points including six out of a possible eight first-place votes. 2025 BIG EAST Tournament champion UConn and Creighton tied for second with 51 points apiece.
Head Coach Michelle DePolo enters her third season at the helm of the St. John's softball program. In 2025, DePolo led the Johnnies to their fourth BIG EAST regular season title and highest win total in program history with 39 victories. Following the historic campaign, DePolo and assistant coaches Marissa Rizzi and Sean Crowell were named the 2025 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Johnnies return four ALL-BIG EAST selections in 2026 led by 2025 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year and ALL-BIG EAST First Team selection Ana Serafinko, who ranked among the league's top two in ERA (2.25) and allowed 49 hits in 10 starts during a dominant junior campaign. Joining her is fellow ALL-BIG EAST First Team honoree Loreley Francia, who paced the conference with a 1.98 ERA and just 34 hits allowed in her junior season. The veteran group also features ALL-BIG EAST Second Team selections Jess Bianco and Madison Konopka. Bianco set single-season program records in runs scored (54) and hits (74) while batting .389, the second highest average on the team. Konopka delivered an impressive freshman year with 44 hits, six doubles and scored 23 runs. She earned BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors on March 17.
DePolo and the Red Storm will kick off the 2026 season on Feb. 6 when they travel to Charleston, S.C., to take on Siena at the Charleston Invitational.
2026 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Poll 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
Players Mentioned
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