By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn University opened its 56th season of softball on Friday as the Ichabods begin the 2026 season with five games over three days at the Lone Star Classic in Mansfield, Texas, just south of Dallas.
Brenda Holaday's Washburn University softball team will open the 2026 season with five games over three days this weekend in Texas. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods are coming off a 31-21 season, going 13-11 in the MIAA, and will be looking to return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last season.
After practicing for several months, in the fall and since returning from the Christmas break, senior infielder Kate Ediger said it's time for the Ichabods to play a game.
"Oh my gosh, it is so time,'' Ediger said. "We have been practicing every day since we've been back in January and we've been scrimmaging and we're just so ready to go out there and play. We're just ready.''
After an up and down season a year ago, Ediger is confident that the Ichabods are poised to take a step forward this season.
"We have five pitchers this year who all are going to be very, very great for us,'' Ediger said. "Last year we had a couple of pitchers that had to do the job every game and this year we have more depth with our pitching and the chemistry that we have in our infield is there.
"I think that we have all the potential in the world. We have a lot of great people. We've just got to get out there and see what we can do, but I know that we're ready for it.''
Senior outfielder Erin Boles, a four-year player for the Ichabods, agreed.
"I think we're all very anxious to get on the field and play different competition and get that competitiveness,'' Boles said. "We're very eager.
"Our goal this year is to start off strong and carry that over into conference and postseason. That is what we're looking for this year.''
Washburn has reached the postseason six times, including three under coach Brenda Holaday in the 2018, 2022 and 2024 seasons.
The Ichabods have hit the 30-win mark for four straight seasons, dating back to the 2022 season, which is the longest streak of 30 wins since a run between the 2002-07 seasons when the Ichabods recorded 30 wins six seasons in a row.
Washburn was tabbed sixth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches poll.
Holaday is in her 10th season as the Ichabod softball head coach, recording a 283-170 overall record and going 136-74 in MIAA contests, leading the Ichabods to two MIAA regular-season titles (2018, 2022). Holaday became Washburn's all-time winningest coach with a 13-0 win over Illinois-Springfield on Feb. 8, 2025.
WU senior pitcher Sadie Walker was 36th in the nation last season in games started (28), 17th in appearances (35) and 39th in shutouts (5) while also ranking 55th in strikeouts (142).
Jenna Sprague ranked 10th in the nation with five saves.
Makenzie Sais led Washburn with 15 multiple-hit games last season.
The Ichabods are scheduled to face Texas Woman's and Southern Nazarene on Friday, Cameron on Saturday and Lubbock Christian and St. Edward's on Sunday.
The Texas Woman's softball team was selected to finish 12th in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors, and media.
Texas Woman's was represented on the conference's preseason watch lists by freshman infielder Tamia Cherry and sophomore pitcher Randi Crawford.
Crawford returns after an impressive freshman campaign in the circle for TWU. The right-hander from Blossom, Texas, posted an 11-9 record in 24 appearances, including 21 starts, while logging 13 complete games, four shutouts, and a save. She struck out 103 batters and finished the season with a 4.07 ERA.
Crawford earned Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Week honors in Week 11 and was named to the LSC All-Freshman Team.
Southern Nazarene was picked fourth in the Great American Conference's preseason poll.
Returners include Kristen Mullendore, who hit .395 with a .450 on-base percentage and a .510 slugging percentage and Kelsi Hilton, who hit .302 as a freshman and won four games with a 3.54 ERA in 12 appearances.
Cameron was the sixth-place selection in the Lone Star Conference preseason coaches poll.
Cameron was 29-24 last season, going 14-14 in LSC play to finish in a tie for third in the East Division.
Lone Star Conference officials slotted St. Edward's eighth in the 17-team league and named seniors Sloane Hill and Kyle Padgett as the Hilltoppers' Player and Pitcher to Watch.
St. Edward's is coming off a 27–28 campaign in 2025, including a 21–23 mark in conference play, earning a berth in the Lone Star Conference Tournament.
Hill started all 54 games behind the plate, batting .325 with 15 doubles, two home runs, 42 RBI, and 12 runs scored. Padgett anchored the pitching staff with a 9–9 record and a 3.76 ERA, striking out 65 batters and recording three shutouts.
Lubbock Christian University opens the 2026 softball season once again positioned among the Lone Star Conference's upper tier, as the Lady Chaps were picked fifth in the league's preseason poll.
LCU enters 2026 coming off a 36–22 season that included its fifth NCAA postseason appearance and a No. 5 seed at the Lone Star Conference Championship. The Lady Chaps posted a 26–18 mark in conference play and advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional.
The Ichabods will return to action Feb. 6-8 at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Ark. with five more games over three days.
Washburn is scheduled to make its home debut Feb. 20-22, hosting the Washburn Invitational.
