BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Three-time defending Patriot League softball champion Boston University finished atop the League’s preseason poll with 35 total points and five first-place votes, as announced Thursday by the League office. The Terriers claimed two preseason major awards, while Army West Point claimed one.
Army West Point placed second in the preseason poll with 32 total points and two first-place votes, while Lehigh rounded out the top three with 26 total points. Bucknell ranked fourth with 18 points, followed by Colgate (17), Holy Cross (10) and Lafayette (9).
Army West Point senior infielder Ashton White was named the 2026 Patriot League Softball Preseason Player of the Year, while Boston University senior pitcher Kasey Ricard was named 2026 Patriot League Preseason Pitcher of the Year, both for the second consecutive year. Boston University senior infielder Brooke Deppiesse claimed 2026 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Army West Point and Boston University led all teams with four preseason All-League selections each, while Lehigh received two and Bucknell and Colgate each received one.
Joining White, Ricard and Deppiesse on the 12-member preseason All-League team are Army West Point senior infielder Taylor Brown, junior pitcher Katelyn Flanders and sophomore utility player Annie Christana, Boston University senior infielder Megan Coyle and junior outfielder Kylie Doherty, Bucknell junior infielder Brooke Popella, Colgate sophomore infielder Analisa Raffaelli, Lehigh junior infielder Peyton Sward and sophomore outfielder Kelly Fricker.
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the softball coaches from each institution, who cannot vote for their team and student-athletes.
2026 Patriot League Softball Preseason Player of the Year
Ashton White, Army West Point, Sr., INF, Dothan, Ala./Wicksburg
Career Stats: 157 GP, .342 BA, 72 R, 168 H, 31 doubles, 18 HR, 112 RBI, .523 SLG, .392 OBP, .980 FLD%
*The 2025 Patriot League Player of the Year, started 57 games for the Black Knights leading them to a 16-2 League record and their first Patriot League regular-season title since 2010.
*White ranked fourth in batting average (.389), fifth in OPS (1.000), third in RBIs (42) and third in hits (74), leading the Black Knights in those statistical categories.
*In her career, White is a two-time All-Patriot League First Team and Tournament Team selection (2024–25), the 2025 Patriot League Player of the Year and Preseason Player of the Year, a 2025 All-Patriot League Preseason Team, 2025 NFCA Northeast Region First Team, 2025 All-ECAC Team, and a 2024 NFCA Northeast Region Second Team honoree.
2026 Patriot League Softball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Brooke Deppiesse, Boston University, Sr., INF, Redwood City, Calif./St. Francis
Career Stats: 179 GP, 179 GS, .369 BA, 119 R, 191 H, 39 doubles, 15 triples, 10 HR, 109 RBI, 276 PO, .968 FLD%
*Deppiesse led the Terriers to their third consecutive Patriot League championship, leading the Patriot League in OPS (1.164) and runs (57), while ranking second in hits (79), earning the 2025 Patriot League Softball Tournament MVP.
*The senior recorded 102 putouts last season anchoring the Terriers defense as Boston University posted a League-best .964 FLD%.
*Deppiesse is a three-time NFCA All-Region First Team selection (2023–25), 2025 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP, a two-time All-Patriot League First Team and All-Tournament Team honoree (2024–25), 2023 All-Patriot League Second Team, 2024 All-ECAC Team selection, a four-time Patriot League Player of the Week, 2023 Rookie of the Week, 2025 Academic All-Patriot League Team member, and a three-time Patriot League Academic Honor Roll honoree.
2026 Patriot League Softball Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Kasey Ricard, Boston University, Sr., P, Littleton, Mass./ Littleton
Career Stats: 124 APP, 85 GS, 602.1 IP, 74-19, 2.16 ERA, 61 CG, 29 SHO, 152 ER, 690 SO, .188 OPP BA
*Ricard finished the 2025 season with a 26-12 record leading the League in wins (26), ERA (2.16), complete games (25), shutouts (6) and strikeouts (233), leading the Terriers to the 2025 Patriot League Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth.
*Ricard led the Terriers to the Patriot League Championship going 2-0, only allowing two runs across three games and striking out 15 batters.
*In her career, Ricard has earned an extensive list of Patriot League and national honors, including 2024 College Sports Evaluation First Team All-American, 2024 D1Softball Second Team All-American, two-time NFCA All-Region First Team (2023, 2024), 2023 College Sports Evaluation Freshman All-American, two-time ECAC Pitcher of the Year (2023, 2024) and two-time All-ECAC Team selection (2023, 2024).
*At the League level, she was named Patriot League Pitcher of the Year two times (2024, 2025), Patriot League Rookie of the Year (2023), three-time All-Patriot League First Team (2023, 2024, 2025), 2024 Patriot League Tournament MVP, two-time All-Patriot League Tournament Team selection (2024, 2025), 2025 Patriot League Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, two-time Academic All-Patriot League Team (2024, 2025) and a two-time NFCA Scholar-Athlete (2023, 2024).
2026 Patriot League Softball Preseason Poll
1.Boston University – 35 (5 first-place votes)
2. Army West Point – 32 (2)
3. Lehigh – 26
4. Bucknell – 18
5. Colgate – 17
6. Holy Cross – 10
7. Lafayette – 9
2026 Patriot League Softball Preseason Major Awards
Preseason Player of the Year – Ashton White, Army West Point, Sr., INF
Preseason Pitcher of the Year – Kasey Ricard, Boston University, Sr., P
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Brooke Deppiesse, Boston University, Sr., INF
2026 Patriot League Softball Preseason All-League Team
Ashton White, Army West Point, Sr., INF
Taylor Brown, Army West Point, Sr., INF
Katelyn Flanders, Army West Point, Jr., P
Annie Christiana, Army West Point, So., UTL
Kasey Ricard, Boston University, Sr., P
Brooke Deppiesse, Boston University, Sr., INF
Megan Coyle, Boston University, Sr., INF
Kylie Doherty, Boston University, Jr., OF
Brooke Popella, Bucknell, Jr., INF
Analisa Raffaelli, Colgate, So., INF
Peyton Sward, Lehigh, Jr., INF
Kelly Fricker, Lehigh, So., OF
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.