RIPON, Wisconsin – With the upcoming 2024 season rapidly approaching, the Ripon softball program has been picked to finish sixth in the Midwest Conference this season as the MWC Preseason Coaches Poll was announced on Wednesday morning.
 
Grinnell, after winning the MWC Tournament and bid to the NCAA Tournament last season, has been picked to win the league this season. Illinois College has been selected to finish as runner-up after winning the regular season title last season, while Lake Forest also picked up a first-place vote in this season's poll.
 
The full poll is listed below.
 
Ripon brings back experienced players both on the mound and in the field. Mikaela Lawrence, one of the best hitters in program history, returns after receiving All-Midwest Conference accolades each of the last two seasons. Maddie Hablewitz also returns after earning second-team All-MWC laurels in 2023. On the mound, Kalen Berger looks to be the workhorse once again for the Red Hawks after accumulating a team-high 109.1 innings last season with 18 starts and 13 complete games.
 
Ripon begins its season on Sunday (March 3) as the Red Hawks face off against UW-Superior at noon and UW-Oshkosh at 4 p.m. Both games will be held inside the UW-Oshkosh Rec Plex.
 
2024 Midwest Conference Preseason Poll
 
1. Grinnell College (8) - 64 points
2. Illinois College - 54 points
3. Lake Forest College (1) - 52 points
4. Cornell College - 44 points
5. Monmouth College - 32 points
6. Ripon College - 28 points
7. Knox College - 24 points
8. Beloit College - 17 points
9. Lawrence University - 9 points
 
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