By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – It's time to shake off the frost as the Tennessee Tech softball team prepares to open the 2026 campaign this weekend with a trip to Buies Creek to compete in the Campbell Stampede.
The Golden Eagles will compete in five contests in this opening weekend – weather permitting – as Tech starts off the season with a 9 AM contest against Howard before facing the host Camels at 3 PM.
The schedule repeats on Saturday as Tech takes on the Bison at 11:30 AM and Campbell at 4:30 PM, then concludes on Sunday as the Golden Eagles face Florida A&M on Sunday.
The host Camels are coming off of a 37-20 season last year, going 19-8 in the Colonial Athletic Conference and reaching the conference championship game. Campbell had some pop in its bat last season with 269 RBI and 16 home runs. Hannah Cornetto had a team-best six home runs and 39 RBI to pace the team, while Tyra Parker – who is not on the current roster -- led the squad with a .417 batting average and 49 runs scored with 34 stolen bases.
Campbell also lost its top pitcher in Megan Gregory, who posted a 1.78 ERA and an 11-5 record with 107 strikeouts. Its top returner – Cassiti Baroni – had a 3.16 ERA and a 6-4 record this past season.
Howard went 31-20 last season, including an incredible 20-1 record last season in the Mid-American Athletic Conference, as the Bison won the conference championship and reached the NCAA Regionals. However, Howard lost its top six batters last season with Maryn Jordan (.303, 12 RBI) as its top returnee offensively. The Bison does return its top pitcher in Julia Holt, who had a 4.72 ERA in 110 2/3 innings, striking out 94.
Florida A&M went 28-20 last season with a 19-5 record in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, falling to Jackson State in the SWAC title game. The Rattlers bring back a ton of offense on its lineup as it produced 188 RBI, 215 runs scored and 92 extra-base hits. Amari Brown batted .357 with a team-best 16 doubles, three triples and 42 RBI. Top hurler Zoryana Hughes returns for another tour with a 2.57 ERA and a 12-6 record last season over 133 1/3 innings with 69 strikeouts.
The Golden Eagles finished 21-35 last season with an 11-16 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference. Olivia Evans finished with the team lead in batting average with a .331 mark, 30 runs scored and 13 RBI. Abbee Klinefelter had the second-most RBI with 32 and had a .305 average. Emily York, who had 11 wins last season, returns for her third Golden Eagle campaign after posting a 3.34 ERA with 89 strikeouts.
Photo | Payton Wagner, TTU Athletics Marketing and Promotions Coordinator
