FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Nine days after appearing atop the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/GoRout Division III Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll, the Trine University softball team has been unanimously predicted to win its seventh straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Championship in a preseason poll of the nine conference coaches.
The Thunder received the maximum 64 points on eight first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll. The points are determined by votes cast by the association's coaches, who cannot vote for their own team. Last season's regular season and tournament runners-up from Adrian College were second with 49 points. Hope College received the final first-place vote but tied with Calvin University for third, each garnering 47 points.
Last season Trine finished a perfect 16-0 in MIAA play. It was the third time in program history that the team finished MIAA play undefeated and just the tenth perfect conference record by any team in MIAA softball history. The Thunder are the only conference member to accomplish the feat since 2000.
The record secured the Thunder their 14th MIAA Championship, the sixth straight season they sat atop the conference standings. Trine went on to win their 11th MIAA Tournament title, overcoming a loss to Adrian in their second game. After receiving the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship tournament, the team went on a ten-game run to secure their second national championship in three seasons.
Five student-athletes recognized by the MIAA return to the Thunder for the 2026 campaign. Headlining the group is last season's Most Valuable Player, Karley Trine who returns for her senior season in the outfield. In addition to her MVP award, she is a two-time All-MIAA honoree.
Fellow 2026 first team selections Tyra Marcum and Macy Rocha are also back for the season. Last season was both players' second All-MIAA selections. Both of Marcum's came as first team selections, while Rocha has a first and second team award. Â
Seniors Debbie Hill and Emma Lee return to the team after earning second team honors in 2026. Hill is a three-time All-MIAA honoree, twice on the first team, while last year's selection was the first for Lee.
This season is scheduled to begin for Trine on Saturday, February 28 in Clermont, Fla. The team travels to The Sunshine State to spend the first half of their spring break at "The Spring Games." They open play against John Jay College at 1:30 p.m. before taking on Bethany Lutheran College at 4:30 p.m.
