SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State softball senior infielder Bella Dean and senior pitcher Piper Reed have been tabbed as Players to Watch by the Summit League ahead of the 2026 season, announced the league office Wednesday morning in its preseason release.
 
Dean is the active leader in home runs for the Bison with 22 for her career and is coming off of an All-Summit League Tournament Team performance last season. The Sherrard, Illinois native surpassed 100 career hits late in the 2025 season, sitting at 106. She also has 19 career doubles and two triples. An All- Summit League Second Team recipient as well, Dean enters the 2026 campaign five RBI shy of 100 for her career and also has 35 walks and 62 runs scored.
 
Reed is coming off of her first full season in the circle for the Bison after making 22 appearances and 15 starts last year, logging over 87 innings of work. The Rancho Santa Margarita, California native tossed five complete games in 2025, including a four-hit shutout over South Dakota. Reed also led NDSU to an extra-inning win over the Summit League Regular Season Champions St. Thomas with five strikeouts in an eight-inning complete game.
 
The Summit League also announced the preseason coaches poll, which has the Bison tabbed with a sixth-place finish.
 
North Dakota State is set to begin the season on Friday in Jacksonville, Florida, taking on Colgate and host Jacksonville in the River City Leadoff.