Wittenberg Softball Hoping For Big Things In 2026
With a roster stocked with experienced arms, bats and gloves, Wittenberg Softball is preparing for a big 2026 season under the direction of third-year head coach Ashley Goodwin.
Building on two years of momentum — both in performance and in facility improvements at Betty Doughman Dillahunt Field, where the team practices and plays its home games – the Tigers had a successful season last year, winning 10 of their first 12 games en route to a 27-14 overall. Wittenberg finished 8-6 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), good for fourth place in the regular season standings and a berth in the conference tournament, and in recent months, a full renovation of the outfield at Dillahunt Field has been completed, representing a major investment in the program’s future.
Seeded fourth, Wittenberg opened the 2025 NCAC Tournament with an upset of No. 1 seed and host Denison before falling to DePauw and Denison in a rematch. At the conclusion of the season, Wittenberg led the NCAC in stolen bases as a team, and in the circle, the Tiger pitching staff boasted the lowest ERA and opponent batting average in the conference.
Six Tigers were selected for All-NCAC honors last season, with four of the six returning in 2026: Meghan McCans (Arcanum, OH / Arcanum), Gada Bryant (Westville, IL / Bismarck-Henning), Julie Hall (Powell, OH / Bishop Watterson), and Bekah Giel (Amelia, OH / West Clermont).
McCans, a grad student and the lone Tiger selected for first-team honors, played in 41 games and recorded 45 hits and 13 RBI for a .352 batting average. Giel, a junior, had 48 hits, 22 RBI and a .381 batting average, while Bryant, a senior, tallied 19 hits, 12 RBI, and sported a .301 batting average.
Other returning seniors include Kayla Drake (Wilmington, OH / Clinton-Massie), and pitchers Lilly James (Troy, OH / Troy) and Hall. James finished 5-1 last season with five saves and a 2.03 ERA in 51.2 innings pitched, while Hall was 10-4 with a 2.53 ERA in 94.1 innings pitched.
Junior Kirsten Wright (Springfield, OH / Kenton Ridge) also had good numbers last season with 43 hits, 39 RBI, and a .371 batting average.
The Tigers open the 2026 season with a jam-packed Spring Break trip to Florida that includes 10 games from March 8-13. The Tigers' home opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, with a doubleheader against conference opponent Ohio Wesleyan.
The Wittenberg softball team was picked to finish third in the NCAC in the 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll, which was released on Monday, Feb. 16. The Tigers received 37 points in the poll. DePauw was picked as the conference favorite with six first-place votes and 48 points, and Denison was second with two first-place votes and 43 points.
The Tigers open NCAC play on March 28 with a doubleheader at Denison. The 2026 NCAC Tournament is scheduled for May 7-9.
Written By: Cindy Holbrook
Graphic By: Olivia Witman