The Delaware State Lady Hornets were predicted to win the 2012 MEAC Softball title, as voted on by the conference's head softball coaches and sports information directors.  Delaware State was chosen to finish first in the Northern division, while the two-time defending MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats were picked to win the Southern division.

For the second consecutive year, Delaware State's Jordan Reid was selected as the conference's Preseason Player of the Year while Coppin State's Paige Arnold earned Preseason Pitcher of the Year accolades.

Reid, the two-time MEAC Player of the Year, led the MEAC and was second in the nation with a .497 batting average. She was atop the MEAC in on-base percentage (.551) and hits and finished second in runs scored (45). Reid posted five triples, 11 doubles and concluded the 2011 campaign with 77 hits in 155 appearances at the plate.

Coppin State's Paige Arnold, the 2010 MEAC Pitcher of the Year, finished the season with a 16-11 record and an ERA of 1.46 in 192.0 innings. She led the MEAC in earned run average and strikeouts (187).  

DSU advanced to last year's championship finale before falling to B-CU in the second championship game of the double elimination bracket. The Lady Hornets concluded the 2011 season with a 32-19 mark and were 12-6 in northern divisional play. Delaware State welcomes back 13 letterwinners, including Reid for the 2012 season.

Coppin State was picked to finish second in the northern division followed by Norfolk State and Howard.  Hampton and Morgan State tied for fifth place and Maryland Eastern Shore rounded out the northern division preseason predictions.

Bethune-Cookman was 33-26 overall and posted an unblemished 12-0 mark in conference play.  The Lady Wildcats won their seventh overall MEAC tournament crown and second consecutive title a year ago. This season B-CU returns seven starters from last year's championship team.

Florida A&M, was picked to finish second in the southern division followed by South Carolina State and North Carolina A&T who tied for third place. Savannah State and North Carolina Central complete the southern division predictions.

Reid and Arnold are joined by Stephanie Sarris (DSU), Kathy Cortez (NSU), Stephanie Martello (DSU), Tera Gainer (FAMU), Whitney Holland (NSU), Aurelia Gamch (B-CU), Hope Fletcher (NCAT), Danielle Wright (NSU), Detavia Kenan (NCAT), and Rachel Carroll (DSU) on the 2012 Preseason All-MEAC team.

Conference play begins March 31 with all MEAC northern and southern divisional teams in action. 

The 2012 MEAC Softball Championship tournament is scheduled for May 10-12, 2012 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Florida.