LUBBOCK, Texas (January 26, 2026) — A new chapter begins for Lubbock Christian University softball as the Lady Chaps open the 2026 season blending fresh faces with an established championship culture, a formula head coach Daren Hays believes positions the program for another run through one of Division II's toughest conferences.
 
LCU welcomes 12 newcomers to its roster this spring, a group that includes eight freshmen, three junior college standouts and one Division I transfer. The class was assembled to address key departures from last season's lineup, which graduated four of the team's top hitters, including All-America first baseman Kendra Levesque and All-Region selections Baylea Myers and Kristen Boyd.
 
The freshman class is highlighted by several highly decorated Texas prep products. Outfielder Madison Hunter arrives after helping Blanco High School to a 23–4 record and a perfect district mark, while catcher Brinley Currington hit .621 during her senior season at Shallowater and earned District 2-3A Offensive MVP honors. Infielder Coryn Burris adds middle-of-the-order potential after batting .548 with 15 home runs and 72 RBI at Birdville High School, earning TGCA All-State and NFCA High School All-American recognition. Alexis Pacheco adds elite athleticism after a decorated multi-sport career in Las Vegas, New Mexico, highlighted by NorthStars Female Athlete of the Year honors, as her career accumulated 12 All-State selections across four sports.
 
Lexi Clark provides immediate two-way versatility after strong back-to-back award-winning seasons at Frenship, while catcher Chloe Walls brings leadership behind the plate following four All-District selections at Brownwood. Brooke Henderson and Julie Muniz round out the freshman class with postseason experience and high-level offensive resumes, as Muniz hit .680 with 17 home runs during her senior year in El Paso.
 
The transfer additions bring proven collegiate production to the roster. Junior Kenzie Kauk joins LCU after an impactful two-year stint at Seminole State College, where she earned NJCAA All-Region II First Team honors and batted .372 as a sophomore while also posting a 1.75 ERA in the circle. Infielders Brianna Chambers-Lee and Gabbi Diotalevi arrive from West Valley College after helping lead the program to a 42-5 record in 2025, with Chambers-Lee earning NFCA North Region First Team All-America honors in each of her two seasons.
 
Sophomore Ava Castillo adds speed and defensive flexibility after spending her freshman season at New Mexico, appearing in 26 games primarily as a pinch runner.
 
The newcomers will be asked to contribute immediately as LCU looks to replace significant offensive production from a team that finished 36-22 overall and advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional. Hays believes the balance of freshmen talent and transfer experience provides the Lady Chaps with depth across every position group.
 
LCU opens the season at the Lone Star Classic this weekend in Mansfield, Texas with a five-game slate at Fields of Station 63. Temperatures, especially wind chill temps, are expected to be hovering around freezing for the event, so any schedule changes will be posted at www.lcuchaps.com.

2026 LCU Softball Newcomers (12)
(Listed by jersey number)
• 3 – Madison Hunter, OF, 5-7, Fr., Blanco, Texas (Blanco HS) – L/R
• 4 – Alexis Pacheco, INF, 5-5, Fr., Las Vegas, N.M. (West Las Vegas HS) – R/R
• 5 – Chloe Walls, C, 5-4, Fr., Brownwood, Texas (Brownwood HS) – R/R
• 6 – Lexi Clark, RHP/OF, 5-6, Fr., Lubbock, Texas (Frenship HS) – R/R
• 8 – Kenzie Kauk, RHP/INF, 5-10, Jr., Clinton, Okla. (Seminole State CC) – R/R
• 12 – Brinley Currington, C, 5-4, Fr., Shallowater, Texas (Shallowater HS) – R/R
• 17 – Ava Castillo, OF, 5-4, So., Mansfield, Texas (New Mexico) – L/R
• 22 – Coryn Burris, INF, 5-8, Fr., North Richland Hills, Texas (Birdville HS) – R/R
• 24 – Brooke Henderson, OF, 5-8, Fr., Crosby, Texas (Crosby HS) – R/R
• 25 – Brianna Chambers-Lee, INF/OF, 5-7, Jr., San Jose, Calif. (West Valley College) – R/R
• 26 – Gabbi Diotalevi, INF, 5-1, Jr., San Jose, Calif. (West Valley College) – L/R
• 27 – Julie Muniz, INF, 5-3, Fr., El Paso, Texas (Riverside HS) – R/L