CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – With a veteran core intact and a Hall of Fame coach leading the charge, the (RV) Campbellsville University softball team is set to open the 2026 season this Thursday, February 12, at #7 Cumberlands (Ky.) in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

The Lady Tigers will face the University of Northwestern Ohio at 12 p.m. ET followed by a matchup with (RV) Indiana Tech at 2:30 p.m. ET to kick off the new year.

Head Coach Shannon Wathen, now in her 23rd season leading the program, expressed high confidence in the experience returning to the diamond.

"We're super excited to return the core of our offense from last season, with junior Jessie Daniels and seniors Korey Harris and Caroline Pitcock leading the way," Wathen said. "We've had a solid preseason and we're excited to see the team coming together and working hard."

That offensive core was formidable in 2025. Junior infielder Daniels headlines the returners coming off a historic sophomore campaign. Daniels was named an NAIA Second-Team All-American, an NFCA First-Team All-American, an NCCAA All-American, and a First-Team All-Mid-South Conference selection after setting the program's single-season home run record with 23 blasts. She led the team with a .426 batting average, a 1.007 slugging percentage, and 62 RBIs.

Joining her is senior infielder Harris, a consistent spark for the lineup who hit .408 last season and swiped 22 bases, earning First-Team All-Conference honors. Senior infielder Pitcock, the reigning MSC Gold Glove winner at third base, also returns to anchor the defense and lineup after hitting .327 last season.

In the circle, the Lady Tigers retain key experience from a staff that pitched the team to the NAIA Opening Round. Senior Emma Markham returns after posting a 3.41 ERA over 67.2 innings last season. Junior Ellie Coley, who threw 93.2 innings and started the team's heart-breaking 10-inning finale against British Columbia, is also back. Former standout Emily Reynolds has transitioned from the circle to the dugout, joining the staff this season as a Graduate Assistant.

The 2026 schedule challenges Campbellsville early with tournament play. Following the opening weekend in Williamsburg, the Lady Tigers will host Midway University for their home opener at Hord Softball Field on Thursday, Feb. 19. The team will also travel to the prestigious NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Columbus, Georgia, in late February and the Gulf Coast Invitational in Alabama in March.

Campbellsville is looking to improve upon a 27-18 record from 2025, which saw them finish 10-7 in Mid-South Conference play.

First pitch against UNOH is scheduled for noon ET on Thursday.