LUBBOCK, Texas (January 23, 2026) — 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 released Wednesday by the conference office.
The poll was voted on by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members. LCU totaled 665 points and received one first-place vote, slotting in behind reigning national champion UT Tyler, West Texas A&M, Angelo State and Oklahoma Christian in what is expected to be one of Division II's most competitive leagues.
The fifth-place projection continues a consistent preseason trend for LCU in its LSC era. Since joining the conference, the Lady Chaps have earned preseason rankings as high as No. 4 on two occasions and have now been selected fifth or better in four of the last five preseason polls, reflecting the program's sustained presence among the league's contenders.
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.
Despite graduating several key offensive contributors, LCU returns five positional starters from its final game of the 2025 season, providing experience and continuity across the lineup. Returning starters include junior
Kadin Vire, seniors
Piper Garcia,
Ashlinn Hamilton,
Riley Flores and catcher
Sophia Reyes.
Vire was named to the LSC Preseason Players to Watch list after emerging as one of the Lady Chaps' most dynamic all-around performers last season. She led the team with 14 stolen bases, finished second in runs scored and totaled 64 hits.
Hamilton was selected to the LSC Preseason Pitchers to Watch list, bringing versatility to LCU's roster both in the circle and at the plate. In addition to pitching in nine games last season, she added seven home runs and 26 RBI offensively.
The pitching staff returns four arms who logged at least 22 innings in 2025, including sophomores
Natalee Gray and
Kendall Ward. Ward finished last season 6–2 with five saves and a 2.09 ERA, ranking among the national leaders in saves, while Gray highlighted her freshman campaign with a no-hitter against UT Permian Basin.
LCU added 12 newcomers for the 2026 season, including eight freshmen, two junior college transfers and one Division I transfer, adding depth throughout the roster.
The Lady Chaps will open the season at the Lone Star Classic before beginning conference play later this spring. Head coach
Daren Hays enters his 16th season at the helm, owning a 588–218 career record in softball and continuing to guide one of the most consistent programs in the Lone Star Conference.
Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
1st |
Total |
| 1 |
UT Tyler |
39 |
849 |
| 2 |
West Texas A&M |
8 |
817 |
| 3 |
Angelo State |
2 |
753 |
| 4 |
Oklahoma Christian |
1 |
715 |
| 5 |
Lubbock Christian |
1 |
665 |
| 6 |
Cameron |
|
551 |
| 7 |
Eastern New Mexico |
|
537 |
| 8 |
St. Edward's |
|
489 |
| 9 |
St. Mary's |
|
445 |
| 10 |
Texas A&M-Kingsville |
|
416 |
| 11 |
Texas A&M International |
|
351 |
| 12 |
Texas Woman's |
|
322 |
| 13 |
Midwestern State |
|
285 |
| 14 |
Western New Mexico |
|
219 |
| 15 |
UT Dallas |
|
188 |
| 16 |
Sul Ross State |
|
101 |
| 17 |
UT Permian Basin |
|
100 |
