Official NWC Release

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University softball team was picked fourth in the annual Northwest Conference preseason coaches' poll released on Thursday morning.
 
The Lutes tallied 30 points in the poll, enjoying a five-point buffer on fifth place Willamette University and sitting six points shy of third ranked George Fox University.
 
Defending champion Linfield University sits atop the poll with 47 points and five of the eight first place votes while Lewis & Clark College is second with 45 points and the remaining three first place endorsements.

Pacific University and Whitworth University are tied for sixth with 17 points while University of Puget Sound rounds out the poll in eighth with seven points.

The Lutes wrapped up the 2025 season with a 27-15 overall record and a 17-11 mark in conference play. PLU begins the 2026 season in Georgia on March 6 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic with games against College of Saint Benedict and Trine University. The Lutes begin NWC play on March 21 against Pacific and begin their home slate on March 25 against Lewis & Clark.