The Abilene Christian (ACU) softball team is gearing up for an exciting 2026 season. They’ll face formidable opponents, including six teams from last year’s NCAA Tournament. This includes six home games, which fans are eager to see.
Among their most challenging matchups are Texas Tech, Texas, and Oklahoma, the top three teams in the preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball poll. Texas Tech and Texas are tied for the No. 1 spot, while Oklahoma is ranked third. Last season, all three reached the Women’s College World Series, with Texas taking home the championship after defeating Texas Tech.
ACU will play these teams in road tournaments and will host Texas Tech on March 31 at Poly Wells Field, where last season’s game drew a record crowd. In addition to them, the Wildcats will compete against Ohio State, Texas A&M, and Weber State, all of whom participated in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Jo Koons emphasizes the team’s philosophy of challenging themselves. “Playing the best prepares us for conference play,” she said. Last year, the team exceeded their projected finish, aiming for a championship in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
The Wildcats will kick off their season at an opening tournament hosted by Texas A&M, which starts the season ranked No. 11. Unlike last year, when they had a long stretch of away games before returning home, this season’s home opener is set for February 11 against South Dakota State.
Following that, they’ll face the defending national champion Texas Longhorns in the Bevo Classic, then host New Mexico for three games, and go to Lubbock for the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic. They will also have games against Louisiana and Oklahoma, plus a spring break trip to Salt Lake City with matches against Weber State, BYU, and Utah.
WAC play begins on March 20-21 when they host UT Arlington. Other home games include matches against Utah Valley and California Baptist. The Wildcats will also visit several teams, including Tarleton State and Southern Utah, before heading to the 2026 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament in Stephenville.
In Koons’ first season, ACU exceeded expectations by finishing fourth in the conference, securing their spot in the WAC Softball Tournament for the first time in two years. This year, the team is looking to build on that success.
Recent trends show that teams prioritizing tough schedules often perform better during playoffs, as seen in various professional sports. Investing in challenging non-conference games can foster growth and resilience, essential for success when the stakes are high.
The Wildcats are ready to make a mark this season with determination, teamwork, and a strong schedule ahead.
For more information, check the WAC Softball Tournament details.
