| 2026 Big West Softball Schedule | Standings | Stats | Week 9 (April 9) Notes (.pdf)
What 2 Watch 4
- Conference play continues across The Big West from Friday, April 10 through Wednesday, April 15, with key series shaping the standings as teams look to separate down the stretch.
UC Santa Barbara (23-17, 13-2 BW) heads to Long Beach State (21-16, 9-6 BW) in a marquee matchup between two contenders. The Gauchos ride a five-series win streak behind infielder Delaina Ma’ae, who hit two home runs last weekend, and righthander Sophia Clark, who delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing five hits. Long Beach State counters with production from infielder Brooklyn Lee and freshman infielder Kali Su’e, while the pitching staff proved its depth by limiting UC Davis to one run through 11 innings in a recent extra-inning game.
Cal Poly (10-24, 4-11 BW) travels to UC San Diego (14-22, 4-11 BW) with both teams looking to climb the standings. The Mustangs are led by freshman first baseman Myleigh Cooper, who hit a go-ahead two-run home run, and junior center fielder A’Niyla Byrd, who recorded a three-hit game. UC San Diego enters with momentum after scoring 24 runs in its last two wins, powered by infielder Gianna Ioja and utility Maalia Cherry, while righthander Bella Settembro adds stability in the circle.
CSUN (9-23, 5-10 BW) visits UC Davis (20-18, 9-6 BW) in a pivotal series as the Aggies look to stay hot following a sweep. Righthander Caroline Grimes tossed 12.0 innings allowing one earned run, while righthander Ashley Sawai added a complete game with five strikeouts. Offensively, infielder Gia Felice went 6-for-11 (.545) and infielder Sydney Polli added four hits and two RBIs. CSUN looks to respond behind outfielder Madison Okano (23 runs) and infielder Mackenzie Kila (two RBIs last weekend).
Cal State Fullerton (24-11, 13-2 BW) hosts UC Riverside (5-25, 3-12 BW) after outscoring its opponent 31-2 in a sweep. Infielder Nataly Lozano leads with eight home runs, while outfielder Lulu Sanchez and infielder Sarah Perez combined for seven RBIs in the finale. In the circle, righthander Eva Hurtado struck out nine in a one-hit shutout. UC Riverside is led by infielder Eta Lauti, who hit three home runs last weekend, and infielder Arianna Saldivar, who drove in four runs, while righthander Emory Cheng adds a complete-game presence.
Hawai’i (17-17, 9-6 BW) remains in the conference race after scoring 12 runs across two games last weekend, highlighted by a four-run inning featuring a three-run home run and a separate solo shot. The Rainbow Wahine continue to generate offense in bursts and will look to pair that production with consistency in the circle as league play continues.
Cal State Bakersfield (8-30, 6-9 BW) looks to build on a series win behind freshman righthander Cedes Saldana, who threw 13.0 innings and earned two wins, while outfielder Kayla Whaley went 4-for-10 with three runs and third baseman Hannah Garcia continues to anchor the lineup.
13 contests are set for broadcast on ESPN+ from today through mid-March. Check listings for additional match information.
2026 Big West Softball Schedule
Officials Appreciation Week
- Officials Appreciation Week shines a spotlight on the vital role referees and officials play across collegiate athletics, including throughout The Big West. Taking place April 5-11 for spring sports, the initiative recognizes the commitment, integrity, and professionalism officials bring to every contest. These dedicated weeks, also held for winter sports in January and across multiple volleyball seasons, aim to promote sportsmanship while addressing the ongoing need for more individuals to join the officiating ranks. From managing the pace of play to ensuring fair competition, officials remain a cornerstone of every game. The Big West encourages student-athletes, coaches, and fans to show their appreciation and respect for officials all week long.
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.
Now in 2026, following the first two weeks of Big West play, Cal State Fullerton (5-1), Long Beach State (5-1), and UC Santa Barbara (6-0) are leading the charge in the conference standings.
The Beach is batting a Big West-best .365 as a team behind standout production from Lina Apodaca, who leads the league with 14 hits and shares the conference lead in doubles (6) with teammate Emily Dowden. Defending conference champion UCSB has matched that offensive firepower with a .356 team average while Emily Carr tops the conference with 13 RBI, helping fuel the Gauchos’ unbeaten start in league play. Meanwhile, host-site CSF continues to showcase its power at the plate, slugging a conference-best .570 as a team, led by reigning Big West Freshman of the Year Nataly Lozano, who paces the league with a .667 batting average and a staggering 1.600 slugging percentage through the opening stretch of conference action.
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 (10-24, 4-11 BW) - The Mustangs opened the weekend with an 8-5 victory, highlighted by freshman first baseman Myleigh Cooper’s two-run home run in the seventh to secure the comeback win. Cooper finished with two RBIs in game one, while junior center fielder A’Niyla Byrd recorded three hits in game two and added a game-tying RBI during a three-run seventh-inning rally. Senior third baseman Mylina Garza delivered a game-tying RBI double and finished with one RBI in the series. The Mustangs totaled five extra-base hits across the final two games but stranded 10 runners in the finale. In the circle, sophomore righthander Bree Brennan worked key outs to limit scoring. Cal Poly heads to UC San Diego for a three-game series April 11-12.
Cal State Bakersfield (8-30, 6-9 BW) CSUB secured a 2-1 series win behind timely hitting and strong pitching performances. Outfielder Kayla Whaley went 4-for-10 with three runs scored, while third baseman Hannah Garcia added key production in the middle of the lineup. Freshman utility Cailee Carr delivered a go-ahead two-run home run in game two, and catcher Kayla Visser followed with a walk-off RBI single in the finale. In the circle, freshman righthander Cedes Saldana earned two wins, throwing 13.0 innings across the series. Righthander Amber Estrada added a strong start in the finale, allowing one earned run. Cal State Bakersfield looks to carry momentum into next week’s Big West slate.
Cal State Fullerton (24-12, 13-5 BW) The Titans extended their 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 a 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) - CSUN opened the series with a run in the first inning as outfielder Madison Okano scored and now has 23 runs on the season. Infielder Mackenzie Kila drove in one run in game one and added another RBI in the finale to bring the series total to two RBIs. Infielder Vanessa Perez recorded one hit in game two, accounting for the team’s only hit in that contest. The Matadors were limited to five total runs across the series but continued to compete offensively in early innings. CSUN will look to bounce back in a nonconference matchup at LMU on April 8.
Hawai’i (17-17, 9-6 BW) The Rainbow Wahine earned a 6-0 victory behind a balanced offensive attack that included five runs scored between the second and fifth innings and a solo home run in the seventh. The Rainbow Wahine followed with a six-run effort in game two, including a four-run fifth inning highlighted by a three-run home run and an additional solo home run in the sixth. Hawai’i produced 12 total runs across its two strongest offensive performances of the series while consistently putting runners on base. In the circle, the staff navigated multiple high-leverage innings against a top conference opponent. Hawai’i continues Big West play next week.
Long Beach State (21-16, 9-6 BW) Long Beach State battled in a tightly contested series, highlighted by a 12-inning opener and strong pitching performances. Freshman utility Elissa Guerrero hit one solo home run to tie game one, while freshman infielder Kali Su’e added one RBI double in the finale. Infielder Brooklyn Lee recorded two hits and one run scored in the finale to pace the offense. The Beach pitching staff held UC Davis to one run through 11 innings in game one, combining for 11.0 innings of one-run ball. Long Beach State returns home to host UC Santa Barbara for a three-game series beginning April 11.
UC Davis (20-18, 9-6 BW) The Aggies swept the series over LBSU behind dominant pitching and efficient offense. Righthander Caroline Grimes threw 12.0 innings in game one, allowing one earned run on four hits with five strikeouts on 152 pitches. Righthander Ashley Sawai followed with a complete game in game two, striking out five and allowing one earned run over 7.0 innings. Infielder Gia Felice went 6-for-11 (.545) with four runs scored, while infielder Sydney Polli finished 4-for-8 with two RBIs. Infielder Alyssa Dethlefson added two RBIs, helping UC Davis score 12 runs across the doubleheader. UC Davis looks to continue its momentum in Big West play next week.
UC Riverside (5-26, 3-12 BW) UC Riverside split its doubleheader, highlighted by a 9-1 run-rule victory in game one. Infielder Arianna Saldivar went 2-for-3 with one double, one home run, and four RBIs, while infielder Eta Lauti added one home run in game one and two home runs in the finale, totaling three home runs and five RBIs across the series. Outfielder Aubrey Marx recorded two hits and scored two runs in game one. In the circle, righthander Emory Cheng threw a complete game, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts. UC Riverside continues conference play on the road next week.
UC San Diego (14-22, 4-11 BW) The Tritons took home a road series win, scoring 12 runs in both game two and the finale versus UCR. Utility Maalia Cherry hit one three-run home run in game two, while infielder Gianna Ioja added one home run and drove in multiple runs, including two RBIs in the finale. Infielder Zara Wasserman recorded one RBI in game two and added another in the finale, while outfielder Tori Hinostro drove in one run in each game. The Tritons totaled 22 runs over the final two games and recorded 22 hits combined. In the circle, righthander Bella Settembro threw 5.0 innings of relief, allowing one earned run. UC San Diego hosts Cal Poly April 11-12.
UC Santa Barbara (23-17, 13-2 BW) - UC Santa Barbara extended its conference dominance, securing its fifth straight Big West series behind a balanced effort at the plate and in the circle. Junior infielder Delaina Ma’ae led the charge with two home runs and two RBIs in a 4-0 shutout victory, while junior righthander Sophia Clark tossed a complete game, allowing five hits with three strikeouts for the win. In the rubber match, the Gauchos erupted for seven runs, highlighted by junior utility Bella Fuentes’ three-run home run and junior infielder Giselle Mejia’s two RBI doubles, finishing with two RBIs in the game. Senior outfielder Dani Rauscher added one hit and two runs scored, helping spark the offense in key moments. Clark returned in relief to secure the 7-6 win, earning the decision as UC Santa Barbara heads to Long Beach State for a three-game series beginning April 11
D1 Softball Mid-Major Poll (Week 9)
- Cal State Fullerton continues to solidify its place among the nation’s top mid-majors, checking in at No. 5 in the Week 9 D1 Softball Mid-Major Poll. The Titans have been a model of consistency all season, blending timely hitting with a steady presence in the circle. Their ability to string together quality at-bats and control games defensively has kept them climbing, and they remain firmly in the conversation as one of the most complete teams in the mid-major landscape.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos sees itself at No. 24 this week, continuing to build momentum as conference play heats up. The Gauchos have leaned on a balanced attack, pairing emerging offensive production with strong outings in the circle. With key contributors stepping up in big moments, UC Santa Barbara’s recent stretch has put them on the national radar, signaling a team that could keep rising as the season progresses.
Weekly Recognition
- Outfielder Dani Rauscher powered UC Santa Barbara at the plate in a series win over Hawai'i to earn The Big West Field Player of the Week honor, presented by Rawlings. This is the third weekly distinction of Rausher's career (March 2 & 23, 2026), but the first of the Field Player of the Week category. Rauscher went an impressive 9-for-11 (.818) across the series, raising the batting average from .413 to .452, which ranks among the nation's top marks. The outfielder delivered multiple perfect outings, going 3-for-3 in game one and 4-for-4 in game three while scoring three runs. Defensively, Rauscher was flawless with seven chances and did not record a strikeout at the plate throughout the series.
Pitcher Hannah Pitts delivered a dominant outing in the circle for Hawai'i to claim The Big West Pitcher of the Week accolade, presented by Rawlings, for the second time in 2025 (March 9, 2026). The Auburn Ala., product produced a complete-game, 7.0-inning shutout against UC Santa Barbara in a 6-0 victory, silencing one of the conference's top offenses. Pitts posted a spotless ERA (0.00) across 7.1 innings of work while showcasing endurance with a 113-pitch performance. The pitcher limited opponents to a .267 batting average and did not allow an extra-base hit during the week.
Utility Tori Hinostro led UC San Diego offensively in a series win at UC Riverside to secure The Big West Freshman of the Week recognition, presented by Rawlings. This is the first weekly distinction of the freshman's career. Hinostro went 4-for-6 at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring twice during the three-game set. For the week, the Pico Rivera, Calif. native slashed an impressive .667/.667/.571, consistently producing for the Triton lineup.
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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