For the sixth consecutive year, North Dakota State was named The Summit League preseason softball favorite in a poll of the league’s head coaches.

The Bison won their fifth-straight tournament title in 2017.

NDSU earned five first-place votes for a total of 25 points. Western Illinois collected 20 points for second place, while third-place South Dakota snagged the remaining first-place vote and 17 points. South Dakota State (14), Omaha (9) and Fort Wayne (5) rounded out the poll.