COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) released their Preseason Poll and Preseason All-RMAC team for softball on Thursday (Jan. 22) afternoon. Colorado Mesa was picked to finish second in the conference while having two selections for the Preseason All-RMAC team.
The Mavericks were picked to finish second this season after going 40-17 last year and having a 35-9 record in RMAC play. They finished second in the RMAC, just one game behind Colorado Christian, in last year's standings with them reaching both the RMAC Tournament Championship game and the NCAA Regionals.
Colorado Mesa earned 109 points in this year's preseason voting with them claiming three first-place votes, five second-place votes and two third-place votes.
They were just eight points behind Colorado Christian who was picked to win the conference with them earning seven first-place and four-second place votes en route to a total of 117 points.
MSU Denver earned two first-place votes to take third place in the standings with 102 points while UCCS was picked fourth with 87 points.
CSU Pueblo earned 75 points for fifth place with Colorado School of Mines garnishing 68 points to round out the top six teams.
The duo of Jessalyn Gallegos and Makayla Westmoreland were both selected to represent the Mavs on the Preseason All-RMAC team as well with both being All-RMAC selections in 2025.
Gallegos was the RMAC's Freshman of the Year in 2025 with her serving as the team's ace, throwing a total of 175.1 innings and owning a 2.20 ERA. She struck out 163 batters in her redshirt freshman campaign while limiting opponents to batting .242 against her.
Westmoreland returns as the Mavs' only First Team All-RMAC pick with her batting .324 in her junior season and collecting 24 RBIs. She would total 13 doubles and 10 stolen bases while being the only returner who started every game last season.
The Mavs will open their season in California on Feb. 4 when they take on Azusa Pacific for a double header.
RMAC Preseason Softball Poll
- Colorado Christian – 117 (7 first-place votes)
- Colorado Mesa – 109 (3 first-place votes)
- MSU Denver – 102 (2 first-place votes)
- UCCS - 87
- CSU Pueblo – 75
- Colorado School of Mines – 68
- Black Hills State – 64
- Regis – 57
- New Mexico Highlands – 35
- Fort Lewis – 32
- Chadron State – 30
- Adams State – 16
