WASHINGTON (February 5, 2026) – Howard University Softball kicks off the 2026 season, playing in the Campbell Stampede, hosted by Campbell University (CU), in Buies Creek, N.C. The three-day (Feb. 6-8) tournament includes the Lady Bison, CU, Florida A&M and Tennessee Tech.
Howard opens the season Friday, Feb. 6, facing Tennessee Tech at 9 a.m., followed by a matchup against Florida A&M at 12:30 p.m. The Lady Bison return to action Saturday, Feb. 7, taking on Florida A&M at 10 a.m., before meeting Tennessee Tech again at 12:30 p.m. Howard closes opening weekend Sunday, Feb. 8, with a 12:30 p.m., contest against Campbell.
SEASON OUTLOOK
Last season, the Lady Bison achieved a 31-20 overall record, including an impressive 20-1 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They secured the regular season and tournament titles and a trip back to the NCAA Tournament.
Offensively, Howard concluded the 2025 season with a .308 team batting average, totaling 399 hits and 246 runs scored. The Bison recorded 199 RBIs, 525 total bases and 66 doubles, while also adding nine triples and 14 home runs. Howard finished the season with a .405 slugging percentage.
MATCHUP PREVIEWS
HOWARD
Entering the 2026 season, Howard was selected as the MEAC preseason favorite after winning both the MEAC Regular Season and Tournament titles a year ago.
Graduate
Taylor Ames-Alexander (Lancaster, S.C.) was named MEAC Preseason Player of the Year while senior
Julia Holt (Tucson, Ariz.) earned MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year honors.
Six Bison were selected to the preseason All-MEAC First Team: Ames-Alexander; Holt;
Destiny Calloway (Evington, Va.);
Merci Hart (Los Angeles);
Lauryn Jones (Denton, Texas) and
Angel Riggins (San Diego).
Senior outfielder
Maryn Jordan (San Diego) earned preseason All-MEAC Second Team recognition.
TENNESSEE TECH
The Golden Eagles projected to finish sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference 2026 preseason poll. They finished the 2025 season with a 21-35 overall record, including a 11-16 mark in league play.
Junior pitcher Emily York and redshirt junior outfielder Olivia Evans earned recognition for Tennessee Tech following strong performances during the 2025 season.
FLORIDA A&M
The Rattlers were picked to finish second in the East Division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference softball preseason poll. In the 2025 season, they achieved a 28-20 overall record with a 19-5 record in conference play.
CAMPBELL
The Camels were selected to finish second in the Costal Athletic Association South Division in the league's preseason poll. In the 2025 season, they achieved a 37-20 overall record with a 19-8 record in conference play.
The Camels led the league with four players named to the Preseason All-CAA Team, along with two additional honorable mentions.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
On Feb. 13-15, Howard travels to Georgia to compete in the HBCU Invitational where the Bison will take on five opponents.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
