| 2026 Big West Softball Schedule | Standings | Stats | Week 9 (April 1) Notes (.pdf)
What 2 Watch 4
Conference play continues across The Big West with a busy week of action as teams look to gain separation in the standings. Hawai'i takes on a tough non-conference test at No. 8 UCLA on April 2 before returning to league competition.
Friday, April 3 marks the start of a full weekend slate, beginning with Cal Poly (9-22, 3-9 BW) traveling to Cal State Bakersfield (6-27, 4-8 BW) in a series featuring two teams looking to build momentum. The Mustangs are coming off a series win powered by a 14-hit performance and strong outings from freshman righthander Kaylee Davis, while the Roadrunners counter with confidence after a dramatic six-run comeback victory last weekend against the first-place Gauchos.
UC Davis (17-17, 6-6 BW) heads to Long Beach State (21-13, 9-3 BW) in another key matchup, as the Aggies bring a balanced attack that includes back-to-back home run power from Kaylin Phillips and Alyssa Dethlefson, while the Beach boasts one of the conference's most consistent lineups led by Priscilla Iniguez and Nina Sepulveda.
One of the weekend's marquee series features Hawai'i (16-14, 8-4 BW) traveling to UC Santa Barbara, with UC Santa Barbara (21-16, 11-1 BW) coming off a series win over CSUB, highlighted by a nine-run outburst and a shutout performance from Ainsley Waddell. Hawai'i enters on a five-game win streak, having outscored its last opponent 19-4, with contributions throughout the lineup from Jamie McGaughey, Carys Murakami, and Milan Ah Yat.
Cal State Fullerton (21-11, 10-2 BW) hits the road to face CSUN (9-19, 5-7 BW), with the Titans bringing one of the league's hottest bats in Nataly Lozano, who totaled three home runs and five RBI last weekend. UC Riverside (4-23, 2-10 BW) hosts UC San Diego (12-21, 2-10 BW) in a matchup featuring two teams looking to climb the standings, as the Highlanders build off a 10-hit performance in their most recent win.
Saturday sees doubleheaders on April 4 as no games will be played on Sunday, April 5, in observance of Easter.
Tuesday, April begins with the Roadrunners playing host to a doubleheader against Utah Tech. The Aggies will face No. 22 Stanford at La Rue field, while the Titans also welcome a nationally ranked powerhouse, No. 8 UCLA to Anderson Family Field. UCR will face its cross-town rival and future Big West foe, California Baptist to conclude this week.
Over 20 contests are set for broadcast on ESPN+. Check listings for additional match information.
2026 Big West Softball Schedule
2026 Championship Tickets on Sale!
The Big West Softball Championship returns to Anderson Family Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton May 6-9, 2026. Tickets for the six-team event go on sale Monday, March 16 at 10 a.m. PT.
All-session tickets, priced at $77, provide access to all four days of the double-elimination event. Senior (55+) and youth (12 & under) all-session tickets are $65. Children under three are free. For additional details or to purchase tickets, click HERE.
Single-session general admission tickets are also available for $16 for adults, $14 for Senior/Youth and $11 for groups of 20 or more. Group tickets are not available on the day of any game of the championship. Championship session tickets are #21 for adults, $18 for Senior/Youth , and 16 for groups of 20 or more. For additional details or to purchase tickets, click HERE.
The Big West's top six teams will compete for the conference title, with the champion once again earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Championship.
UC Santa Barbara secured the conference title in 2025 in dramatic fashion. The No. 3 seed Gauchos won six straight elimination games to claim the crown in the conference's first-ever softball championship event.
All teams in The Big West will compete for the coveted top-seed heading into the postseason. Last season, the No. 2, 3, and 4 championship seeds shared identical conference records of 17-10, showcasing the league's competitiveness. Cal State Fullerton has won seven of the last eight Big West regular-season titles, while Long Beach State has earned the other two in 2023 and 2021.
The 2026 matchups and game times are as follows:
Wednesday, May 6
1 p.m. | Game 1: No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed
4 p.m. | Game 2: No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed
7 p.m. | Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Thursday, May 7
1 p.m. | Game 4: No. 1 seed vs. Game 1 winner
4 p.m. | Game 5: No. 2 seed vs. Game 2 winner
7 p.m. | Game 6:
Friday, May 8
1 p.m. | Game 7: TBD
4 p.m. | Game 8: TBD
7 p.m. | Game 9: TBD
Saturday, May 9
1 p.m. | Game 10: Championship
TBD (Approx. 45 mins post G10) | Game 11: If Necessary
Conference Play at Bat
- Conference play opens around The Big West with a pivotal stretch of matchups running Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 15, as rivalry series, island clashes, and early positioning in the standings take center stage across the league.
All eyes are set on the ultimate prize, a spot among the top six teams in the 2026 Big West Softball Championship. The four-day, double-elimination Championship returns to Anderson Family Field on the campus of Cal State Fullerton for the second consecutive season, where the conference champion will earn The Big West's automatic berth into the NCAA Division I Softball Championship.
A year ago, UC Santa Barbara galvanized a postseason run to remember. After falling in their first game, the Gauchos rattled off six straight elimination-game victories to claim the inaugural Big West Softball Championship title. UCSB carried that momentum into the NCAA Championship, notching the program's first two Division I tournament wins and advancing to the Los Angeles Regional Final to cap a historic season that rewrote the record books.
Around the Dugouts
Cal Poly (9-22, 3-9 BW) - continued its Big West push with a series win over UC Riverside, highlighted by dominant pitching and timely offense in two victories. Freshman righthander Kaylee Davis spun 6.2 shutout innings with five strikeouts in the opener, while sophomore Bree Brennan followed with a complete-game effort, allowing just two runs with three strikeouts in the nightcap. At the plate, Maddy Bermudez and Maya Venegas powered the Mustangs with three hits apiece in game one, as Cal Poly totaled a season-high 14 hits, while Venegas added multiple RBI doubles across the twin bill. The Mustangs showcased clutch hitting again in the second game with a five-run third inning fueled by Leilani Allen and Kiara Blanchard, securing the series despite a tight finale setback. Cal Poly heads back on the road next week, opening a Big West series at Cal State Bakersfield with a Friday doubleheader.
Cal State Bakersfield (6-27, 4-8 BW) delivered one of its most thrilling moments of the season, rallying for a dramatic 6-5 comeback victory over UC Santa Barbara. The Roadrunners erupted for six runs in the seventh inning, capitalizing on timely hits and defensive miscues to flip a five-run deficit into a statement win. Throughout the day, Cal State Bakersfield showed flashes offensively, plating multiple runs early in game two while continuing to apply pressure on the bases. Despite a tough result in the second game, the Roadrunners' resilience and late-game execution stood out as a key takeaway from the series. Cal State Bakersfield will look to build on that momentum as it hosts Cal Poly for a Big West series beginning Friday, April 3.
Cal State Fullerton (21-11, 10-2 BW) extended its win streak to seven games while securing a Big West series victory over UC Davis behind explosive offensive production. Sophomore outfielder Nataly Lozano led the charge, going 4-for-6 with three home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored across the doubleheader while posting a staggering 2.167 slugging percentage. The Titans showcased depth throughout the lineup as Sarah Perez collected three hits with an RBI and stolen base, and Ava Arce added multiple doubles and three RBI in the series-clinching win. In the circle, Eva Hurtado earned the victory with five scoreless innings, while Trisha McCleskey added a win with 6.2 innings and two strikeouts to push the pitching staff forward. Cal State Fullerton closes the week on the road at CSUN, beginning with a Friday doubleheader.
CSUN (9-19, 5-7 BW) battled through a challenging road series at Hawai'i, with key individual performances highlighting the weekend. Junior pitcher Malia Williams delivered one of the top outings of the season, tossing a complete game with a season-high six strikeouts while allowing just two earned runs in a tight contest. Offensively, Makenzie Kila and Savannah Simons provided run production, with Kila driving in two RBI in the finale and Simons accounting for the lone RBI in the opener. The Matadors showed patience at the plate, drawing multiple walks and generating scoring chances despite facing a hot Rainbow Wahine squad. CSUN will look to rebound quickly with a midweek matchup at California Baptist, then host Cal State Fullerton for a Big West series starting Friday.
Hawai'i (16-14, 8-4 BW) surged into form with a dominant Big West series sweep over CSUN, extending its winning streak to five games and moving above .500 in conference play. Junior pitcher Hannah Pitts anchored the staff with a complete-game shutout, allowing six hits while striking out five, while Taryn Irimata secured another win in relief to cap the series. The Rainbow Wahine offense erupted for 19 runs across three games, highlighted by a pivotal eight-run first inning in the finale fueled by extra-base hits from Jamie McGaughey and run-producing swings from Carys Murakami and Milan Ah Yat. Hawai'i's balanced attack and strong pitching marked its first Big West series sweep since last season, signaling momentum in the conference race. Hawai'i heads to Los Angeles for a midweek contest at UCLA before continuing league play at UC Santa Barbara.
Long Beach State (21-13, 9-3 BW) continued its strong Big West campaign with a road sweep over UC San Diego, showcasing resilience and late-game execution. The Beach opened with a 6-5 victory behind key RBI from Priscilla Iniguez and a two-run home run by Audree Mendoza, while the pitching staff held firm late with Pricilla Ramirez earning the win and Kate Barnett securing the save. In the series finale, Long Beach State rallied with four runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by clutch hits from Emily Dowden and Mendoza to seal the comeback win. Earlier in the series, the Beach offense exploded for a nine-run outburst, with contributions throughout the lineup including multi-hit efforts from Lina Apodaca and Nina Sepulveda. Long Beach State returns home to host UC Davis for a three-game Big West series beginning Friday, April 3.
UC Davis (17-17, 6-6 BW) showcased resilience with a signature comeback victory over Cal State Fullerton to close the weekend. Freshman utility Kaylin Phillips delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, finishing with multiple RBI while also launching a home run earlier in the series. The Aggies' offense flashed power as Phillips and Alyssa Dethlefson hit back-to-back home runs, marking the program's first such feat since 2020. Gia Felice added a standout performance with multiple hits, including a two-RBI triple, while Caroline Grimes anchored the circle with 6.2 innings and three strikeouts. UC Davis will aim to carry that momentum into a road series at Long Beach State beginning Friday.
UC Riverside (4-23, 2-10 BW) closed its weekend on a high note with a 4-2 victory over Cal Poly, highlighting clutch hitting and effective relief pitching. Sophomore infielder Arianna Saldivar led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, including an RBI triple, while Kayla Penor added two doubles and an RBI to pace a 10-hit effort. The Highlanders capitalized on key scoring opportunities, with Trendee Kahunahana contributing multiple runs and timely production throughout the lineup. In the circle, Emory Cheng earned the win with 3.2 scoreless innings and three strikeouts, shutting down Cal Poly late. UC Riverside returns home to host UC San Diego for a three-game Big West series beginning Friday.
UC San Diego (12-21, 2-10 BW) competed in a hard-fought series against Long Beach State, showing flashes of offensive production and resilience despite the results. The Tritons stayed within striking distance in multiple games, highlighted by a solo home run from Gianna Ioja and timely hitting from the middle of the lineup. UC San Diego generated scoring opportunities throughout the series, including multi-hit innings and aggressive baserunning to pressure opposing defenses. The pitching staff also delivered key moments, keeping games close against one of the conference's top offenses. UC San Diego looks to bounce back next week as it travels to UC Riverside for a Big West series starting Friday.
UC Santa Barbara (21-16, 11-1 BW) - UC Santa Barbara extended its conference dominance, sweeping UC Riverside to remain unbeaten in Big West play. Bella Fuentes led the charge with multiple home runs and a combined eight RBIs across the doubleheader, while Ainsley Waddell added key hits to support the offensive surge. The Gauchos piled up 25 runs on 30 hits over the weekend, showcasing one of the most potent lineups in the conference. In the circle, strong outings from Sophia Clark, Malaya Johnson, and Ella Myers anchored the sweep. UC Santa Barbara will look to continue its winning streak when it faces California Baptist on Tuesday, March 24.
D1 Softball Mid-Major Poll (Week 7)
Cal State Fullerton climbed to No. 5 following a perfect 5-0 showing at the Judi Garman Classic, slashing .333/.396/.462 as a team with six regulars batting above .300. The Titans have appeared in the D1Softball Mid-Major rankings every week this season, steadily rising from No. 11 in the preseason to their highest mark of the year. Junior outfielder Kate Verhoef paced the offense during the tournament, hitting .500 with six hits and swiping three bases, while the pitching staff continued to limit opponents with consistent strike-throwing and run prevention.
Long Beach State checks in at No. 12 after a 3-2 weekend in Tucson that included two tightly contested matchups against nationally ranked Arizona. The Beach also owns one of the signature wins of the mid-major landscape this season, knocking off then-No. 4 Oklahoma at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Avery Weisbrook has led the charge offensively, batting .407 with a team-best .644 slugging percentage and 19 runs scored, while ranking fourth nationally in assists at shortstop. In the circle, Lindsey Cowans and Audrey Lopetegui have combined for key innings against ranked opposition as the Beach continue to build momentum under first-year head coach Kendall Fearn.
Weekly Recognition
Outfielder Lina Apodaca paced Long Beach State to a road sweep of UC San Diego to earn The Big West Field Player of the Week honor, presented by Rawlings. This is the second weekly distinction of the sophomore's career (March 31, 2025) but the first of the Field Player variety. Serving as the leadoff hitter, Apodaca reached base at a .667 clip, going 6-for-10 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch while recording a hit in all three games. Apodaca delivered a standout performance in the series-clinching win, going 3-for-4 with a double to help secure the sweep.
Pitcher Kate Barnett anchored Long Beach State in the circle, going undefeated across two appearances to capture The Big West Pitcher of the Week award, presented by Rawlings. This is the second weekly honor of the junior's career after claiming the award on March 31, 2025. Barnett combined for a scoreless weekend, earning both a win and a save against UC San Diego. In the series opener, the pitcher shut down a late Triton rally, tossing 1.1 innings to secure the save in a one-run victory. Barnett followed with a clutch relief outing in the finale, allowing just three hits over 3.1 innings to earn the win as the Beach rallied late.
Utility Jaelyn Toledo led UC Santa Barbara at the plate to claim The Big West Freshman of the Week accolade. This is the first weekly award of the freshman's career, but the fourth Freshman of the Week honoree from UCSB this season. Toledo appeared in three games, batting .571 and reaching base at a .700 clip while raising the season average. The freshman drove in two runs, scored three times and went a perfect 2-for-2 on stolen bases without recording a strikeout.
New Faces Around the Dugout
CSUN named Jodie Cox interim head coach after her return to the Matador staff in 2025, making her the eighth coach in program history. A former CSUN assistant from 2005–07, Cox brings a wide-ranging résumé across Division I, Division III and high school levels, including experience during a stretch that produced 61 wins and an NCAA Regional berth. As pitching coach last season, she helped guide CSUN to a 3.61 staff ERA, 180 strikeouts, and a runner-up finish at the Big West Championship.
Panita Thanatharn was selected as the fourth head coach in Hawai'i softball history, succeeding longtime leader Bob Coolen following his retirement after 34 seasons. Thanatharn arrives after 16 seasons at Long Beach State, where she served as associate head coach, primary recruiter, and hitting coach while overseeing administrative and conditioning duties. Under her guidance, the Beach produced the 10 highest batting averages in program history, multiple national top-20 marks, and several single-season offensive records.
Kendall Fearn takes over as head coach at Long Beach State following the retirement of Kim Sowder after 19 seasons. Fearn played a key role in San Diego State's national rise as lead assistant, directing recruiting and defense during three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The skipper's tenure included a 2023 Super Regional run and three consecutive Mountain West Tournament titles with the Aztecs.
Preseason Pognostics
Defending Big West Softball Champion UC Santa Barbara was narrowly selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 Big West Softball Preseason Coaches Poll, as voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.
The Gauchos earned 78 points and six first-place votes to claim the top spot after winning the inaugural Big West Softball Championship last season. Cal State Fullerton, the defending regular-season champion, finished second with 75 points and four first-place votes, while Long Beach State placed third with 65 points.
Hawai'i and UC San Diego tied for fourth with 50 points apiece, followed by UC Davis in sixth with 38 points. CSUN (36), Cal Poly (27), UC Riverside (22), and Cal State Bakersfield (9) rounded out the 2026 preseason poll.
The league's head coaches also selected an 11-member Preseason All-Big West Team. Cal State Fullerton led all programs with five selections, followed by UC Santa Barbara with three. UC Davis, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego were each represented by one student-athlete.
Ava Arce headlines the Titans' preseason selections after leading the conference with a .405 batting average in 2025, while also pacing the league in hits (68), home runs (12), and RBI (63). The 2025 Big West Field Player of the Year posted a .690 slugging percentage. Alexia Lopez hit .349 with 52 hits and 29 RBI, while Nataly Lozano, the 2025 Big West Freshman of the Year, batted .389 with 65 hits, including 10 doubles and seven home runs. Colby McClinton returns after posting 50 hits, 37 runs, a .457 on-base percentage, and 14 stolen bases.
In the circle, Trisha McCleskey recorded a 16–9 record with a 3.44 ERA and 119 strikeouts over 166.2 innings pitched. She threw nine complete games and earned three saves while ranking among league leaders in wins and innings pitched. All five Titans named to the preseason team earned First Team All-Big West honors in 2025.
UC Santa Barbara's preseason selections include Bella Fuentes, Giselle Mejia, and Malaya Johnson, all First Team All-Big West honorees a season ago. Fuentes set a program single-season record with 62 RBI while leading the Gauchos in home runs (11) and slugging percentage (.559). Mejia tied the team lead with 62 hits and paced UCSB with 20 doubles. Johnson earned 2025 Big West Pitcher of the Year honors after striking out 123 batters with a 3.03 ERA, leading the league in wins (24) and innings pitched (221.2). She was also named Big West Softball Championship MVP.
The remainder of the preseason team includes Ashley Sawai of UC Davis, Maalia Cherry of UC San Diego, and UC Riverside's Rebeca Cabezas. Sawai struck out 96 batters over 148.2 innings in 2025 and has earned back-to-back selections on the preseason team. Cherry totaled 41 hits, 13 home runs, and 37 RBI during a phenomenal freshman campaign that featured D1 Softball National Freshman of the Week recognition on Feb. 18, 2025. Cabezas hit .350 with 50 hits and earned All-Big West Honorable Mention honors.
The top six teams in the regular-season standings will advance to the 2026 Big West Softball Championship, with the tournament champion earning the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Softball Championship. The four-day, double-elimination format returns for its second year, with the top two seeds receiving first-round byes.
The Championship will be held May 6–9 at Anderson Family Field in Fullerton, Calif, on the campus of Cal State Fullerton for the second straight season. Our 2026 Big West softball season begins Thursday, Feb. 6.
Preseason D1 Softball Mid-Major Rankings
The Big West was well represented in D1Softball's 2026 Preseason Mid-Major D100 Player Rankings, with five student-athletes earning recognition while two programs landed inside the national team poll. Cal State Fullerton checked in at No. 11 in the preseason team rankings behind veterans Ava Arce (No. 24) and Trisha McCleskey (No. 61), while UC Santa Barbara was ranked No. 15 with seniors Malaya Johnson (No. 21) and Bella Fuentes (No. 84) highlighted among the nation's top mid-major talent.
Arce and McCleskey headline the Titans after standout 2025 campaigns, with Arce coming off a record-breaking season that included Big West Field Player of the Year honors and McCleskey anchoring the pitching staff with a team-low 2.27 ERA in conference play. UC Santa Barbara's Johnson, the reigning Big West Pitcher of the Year, climbed 23 spots from last year's rankings after logging 223.1 innings, while Fuentes powered the Gaucho offense by setting the program's single-season RBI record.
Rounding out the list is Maalia Cherry (No. 91), now at UC San Diego after a breakout freshman season at Cal State Bakersfield that saw her lead The Big West in OPS and rank second in home runs. Collectively, the preseason honors underscore the depth of talent returning to the conference as Big West programs prepare for another nationally competitive season.
Preseason D1 Softball Mid-Major Top 100
No. 91 Maalia Cherry, Cal State Bakersfield
No. 84 Bella Fuentes, UC Santa Barbara
No. 61 Trisha McCleskey, Cal State Fullerton
No. 24 Ava Arce, Cal State Fullerton
No. 21 Malaya Johnson, UC Santa Barbara
Inaugural Championship Rewind
Last season, the inaugural Big West Softball Championship featured the conference's top six teams in a four-day, double-elimination format, with the winner earning the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. No. 3 seed UC Santa Barbara captured the first-ever title with a 7–5 win over No. 2 CSUN in the decisive final game, clinching its first NCAA postseason appearance since 2007. Malaya Johnson was named Championship MVP after leading the Gauchos in the circle.
2025 Big West Softball All-Tournament Team
Isabella Alonso, CSUN
India Caldwell, UC San Diego
Lauryn Carranco, CSUN
Lily Hermosillo, UC San Diego
Malaya Johnson, UC Santa Barbara
Jerzie Liana, CSUN
Delaina Ma'ae, UC Santa Barbara
Izabella Martinez, Hawai'i
Giselle Mejia, UC Santa Barbara
Carly Robbins, Long Beach State
Gizella Sandoval Vargas, CSUN
Jazzy Santos, UC Santa Barbara
Liliana Thomas, Hawai'i
The Big West Championship History
After finishing top three in the four previous trips to the Women's College World Series, Cal State Fullerton brought home its first NCAA Championship, finishing 57-9-1 for the season in 1986. Pitching carried the Titans throughout the entire season, sporting a team ERA of 0.28 in 500 innings of work. Susan LeFebvre, the ace of the staff, went 31-6, throwing 284.2 innings, only allowing 11 earned runs all season and breaking the 200-strikeout mark with 208. Connie Clark was just as good, going 20-2, only allowing 5 runs in 155.1 innings. Opponents only hit .086 against the pitcher. In the postseason, the Titans went a perfect 5-0 in the WCWS, only allowing one run. During the five games, CSF brought home the championship, defeating Texas A&M by a score of 3-0. Clark started in the circle and threw a one-hit shutout with eight strikeouts while JoAnn Ferrieri knocked in the game-winning run. Judi Garman earned the coaches' 350th win in a 3-1 victory over Long Beach State 3-1 on May 10, 1986.
1986 season under Head Coach Judi Garman
Overall Record: 57-9-1 (.858)
Conference Record: 22-5-1 (.804)
Home: 30-4
Away: 16-3-1
Neutral: 11-2
Postseason Record: 7-0
National Finish: 1st (NCAA)
Overall, the conference has appeared in the Women's College World Series nine times, most recently in 1995.
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