2026 Cal Softball Season: A Thread

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CalFanatic
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2:14p, 11/18/25
https://www.si.com/onsi/softball/news/steve-singleton-explains-why-cal-softball-s-2026-lineup-could-surprise-people

The batting lineup will look entirely new. Although Singleton was in charge of leading the offense at Texas and developed several key players, including Reese Atwood, Ashton Maloney, and Viviana Martinez, he is putting full trust in Danielle Gibson Whorton. She joins Cal after serving as an assistant coach with Arkansas for the last two seasons.

"We're pretty aligned in how we think," Singleton told Softball America. "It's been seamless. Through the interview process, I wasn't sure if I wanted someone to fully take the reins of the offense, but once we started talking, it became clear she fully has it and wants to run the offense, be in this position. That's helped me. She's very organized, very detailed, and leads with great confidence, and players follow. In the recruiting process, she has a great eye for talent and it helps from playing the highest level of the game. She's so well-rounded and the leader she's been has been a huge plus."

Cal's Projected Lineup
  • C Anya German
  • 1B Anya Togia
  • 2B Gator Robinson
  • SS Emma Jackson
  • 3B Maddie Rey
  • LF Sophia Everett
  • CF Kayli Counts
  • RF D'Auna Johnson
  • DP Mya McGowan


The season will be here before you know it!

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OBear073akaSMFan
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In reply to CalFanatic • 2:28p, 11/18/25
I would have thought Alyssa Herrera might be the designated hitter when McGovan isn't pitching. She looks to be able to wack the ball petty well. She is a catcher but can't see her beating out Anya.
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CalFanatic
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In reply to OBear073akaSMFan • 2:33p, 11/18/25
OBear073akaSMFan said:
I would have thought Alyssa Herrera might be the designated hitter when McGovan isn't pitching. She looks to be able to wack the ball petty well. She is a catcher but can't see her beating out Anya.

This is just SI's projected lineup. I'm right there with you. Her bat will be in the lineup somewhere. She went yard during fall ball (see photo).

https://instagr.am/p/DQUyMbaic3w
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Schroeder71
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4:01p, 11/18/25
I would speculate that lineup might be the best defensive group. However, I'm not impressed with the offensive firepower. Cal's top seven hitters have departed from last season's team.

Nina Peyton-Johnson, Harmony Andrade & Allyssa Herrera would seem to pack more punch. Also, Mya McGowan might be good enough on offense that she should also be in the lineup. Jade Diaz & Sophia Rolon also should be considered.

No bio stats or information is available on the website. I don't have time to visit Boston College & Fresno State right now, but I believe that the middle infielders and third base person listed did not provide much pop. I'll check up on it in the near future. Btw, Jackson played second and Robinson played shortstop for BC last year.
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Jackisback
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11:13a, 11/24/25
The schedule for the 2026 Mary Nutter Classic has been posted and shows Cal playing an aggressively challenging slate.

Mary Nutter Schedule

Thursday, UCSD
Friday, Fresno State & Nevada
Saturday, Oklahoma
Sunday, Auburn & Nebraska

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CalFanatic
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5:20p, 12/11/25
Softball to play home games at Sac State and West Valley (former Cal great Vicky Galindo is HC).

https://calbears.com/news/2025/12/11/cal-softball-announces-plans-for-2026-home-games.aspx
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Schroeder71
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8:06p, 12/11/25
I thought that the two primary starting pitchers would be McGowan & Gerhard (Ohio State). I noticed that only Mya was separated from the rest of the staff. I have no clue if the Bears have enough pitching to stay competitive in games. I'm also shocked that Herrera is not in RF instead of Johnson. Only one recruit made the starting lineup, LF Everett.

Tamya Waiters - Softball - University of Houston Athletics

Hopefully our new pitching coach can work some miracles out of these transfers.
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kc1121
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In reply to CalFanatic • 8:06p, 12/11/25
Thanks. Hope ACC Network sends crews out to streams these games
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AndyHogan14
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In reply to CalFanatic • 9:07p, 12/11/25
CalFanatic said:
Softball to play home games at Sac State and West Valley (former Cal great Vicky Galindo is HC).

https://calbears.com/news/2025/12/11/cal-softball-announces-plans-for-2026-home-games.aspx

I don't understand why they couldn't repurpose the softball field over at Clark Kerr. Put in the portables for locker rooms and get some temporary bleachers/lights. Expense, maybe? Not enough space? Oh well, this is better than having to play at Stanford for "home" games.
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Shocky1
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5:25a, 12/13/25
andy, the worthless co athletic director jennifer simon-o'neil has poor relationships with real athletic directors which why local schools st marys and stanford passed on loaning their fields, the bears will now be traveling thru bay area traffic a mind boggling 65 miles to sacramento for their "home" games

the bears this season will be moving from the top of the acc to the bottom of the acc thx to simon-
o'neil whose time is coming to an end...the volleyball and track & field/cross country programs have also bottomed out on her watch along with the women's basketball team drawing 903 "fans" to the last game
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SFCALBear72
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In reply to AndyHogan14 • 7:42a, 12/13/25
AndyHogan14 said:
CalFanatic said:
Softball to play home games at Sac State and West Valley (former Cal great Vicky Galindo is HC).

https://calbears.com/news/2025/12/11/cal-softball-announces-plans-for-2026-home-games.aspx

I don't understand why they couldn't repurpose the softball field over at Clark Kerr. Put in the portables for locker rooms and get some temporary bleachers/lights. Expense, maybe? Not enough space? Oh well, this is better than having to play at Stanford for "home" games.

Is that really the "look" you want for opposing players and potential recruits to see (and remember down the road)? We're better than that.
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Shocky1
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8:25a, 12/13/25
72, nobody is worried about the "look," these student athletes are taking rigorous classes at berkeley & the 65 miles each way to sacramento is an absolute clown show with no academic accountability thx to the failed negations of jennifer simon-o'neil

a temporary field at clark kerr would've been a 100% better option but keep in mind that jenny is NOT a berkeley grad so student athletes spending a couple of hours on a bus during the school week is beyond her comprehension
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AndyHogan14
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In reply to SFCALBear72 • 11:41a, 12/13/25
I don't know if it is much better of a look to play at a community college down in the South Bay or at Sac State. With that said, either way, it would be temporary solution for one year, I'm sure recruits would understand especially when you show them the new facility we are building.

Also, in response to shocky, I agree with you, the sooner we get rid of those two and replace them with a real AD, the better.
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Shocky1
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5:09p, 12/13/25
andy, jenny lost her biggest (perhaps only) ally/supporter when knowlton "retired"
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CalFanatic
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1:17p, 12/19/25
Schedule released

https://calbears.com/sports/softball/schedule
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SFCALBear72
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In reply to CalFanatic • 1:28p, 12/19/25
CalFanatic said:
Schedule released

https://calbears.com/sports/softball/schedule

The games scheduled for Sacramento and Saratoga are minimal in relation to the full schedule. No big deal.
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CalFanatic
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1:34p, 12/19/25
Incredibly tough schedule for a virtually brand-new team. They open the season against Meylan and OSU in the first two games. Then at Mary Nutter, they'll face three likely WCWS teams…including the best pitcher in collegiate softball in Bahl. Woof. That's a serious dose of reality right out of the gate.
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59bear
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In reply to CalFanatic • 9:31a, 12/24/25
CalFanatic said:
Incredibly tough schedule for a virtually brand-new team. They open the season against Meylan and OSU in the first two games. Then at Mary Nutter, they'll face three likely WCWS teams…including the best pitcher in collegiate softball in Bahl. Woof. That's a serious dose of reality right out of the gate.

Bahl better than Nijaree? Doubtful.
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11:17a, 12/24/25
Valid. Second best. But one of them has 2 national championships
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Shocky1
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In reply to CalFanatic • 7:23p, 12/29/25
CalFanatic said:
Incredibly tough schedule for a virtually brand-new team. They open the season against Meylan and OSU in the first two games. Then at Mary Nutter, they'll face three likely WCWS teams…including the best pitcher in collegiate softball in Bahl. Woof. That's a serious dose of reality right out of the gate.

why is this a "brand new team??"

answer: worthless bureaucrat jennifer simon-o'neil FAILED to protect the players & bearents along with coaches from a mentally unstable head coach she hired & then remarkably extended which resulted in the program blowing up

we will never forget the suicidal women's swimmers & their families (and that's just a serious dose of reality)#
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CalFanatic
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10:26a, 12/30/25
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wvitbear
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9:48a, 1/5/26
I assume S 71 will be going to the South Bay games.
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CalFanatic
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10:15a, 1/5/26
https://instagr.am/p/DTIpxmWlHCI

Cal softball has a history of great two players. The obvious one being one of the greatest to ever play at Cal, Val Arioto.
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kc1121
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In reply to kc1121 • 3:27p, 1/26/26
kc1121 said:
Thanks. Hope ACC Network sends crews out to streams these games

Looks like ACC Network will be available for the games at Sac St and West Valley College

Season starts next week!
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Igber226
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5:18p, 1/26/26
A word on West Valley's field: It's not a bad field. Same number of permanent seats (500) as the old field in Strawberry Canyon, and there is a possibility of bringing in additional bleachers past the L and C field fence. It was designed by the same firm that worked on Texas' softball and baseball facilities.

Cal recruit Alana Clincy and Stanford's Ava Bulanti duked it out on that field for the 2025 CIF CCS Open division title last year. The facilities are nice and the dugouts are right by the stands. The main downside is parking.

Pic of the field showing the *possibility* of adding OF bleachers:
https://www.bothman.com/west-valley-college/

Design firm:
https://www.dlrgroup.com/work/west-valley-college-viking-field/
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CalFanatic
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8:54p, 1/26/26
Love that Coach Singleton had Cat Osterman come speak to the team. Use those Texas connections, coach!
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HoopDreams
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In reply to CalFanatic • 9:23a, 1/27/26
Why is Cal playing so far from Berkeley?

Aren't there closer SB fields at a JC or Cal State school?

Because I'm in the southbay the West Valley games are convenient for me, but I'm thinking of the team

Also where will the players practice?


CalFanatic said:
Softball to play home games at Sac State and West Valley (former Cal great Vicky Galindo is HC).

https://calbears.com/news/2025/12/11/cal-softball-announces-plans-for-2026-home-games.aspx
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OBear073akaSMFan
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In reply to HoopDreams • 9:31a, 1/27/26
HoopDreams said:
Why is Cal playing so far from Berkeley?

Aren't there closer SB fields at a JC or Cal State school?

Because I'm in the southbay the West Valley games are convenient for me, but I'm thinking of the team

Also where will the players practice?


CalFanatic said:
Softball to play home games at Sac State and West Valley (former Cal great Vicky Galindo is HC).

https://calbears.com/news/2025/12/11/cal-softball-announces-plans-for-2026-home-games.aspx


They'll be playing their home series against Stanford at West Valley. I'll be like a home game for them. Should had played them in Sac St instead.
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SFCALBear72
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In reply to HoopDreams • 1:26p, 1/27/26
HoopDreams said:
Why is Cal playing so far from Berkeley?

Aren't there closer SB fields at a JC or Cal State school?

Because I'm in the southbay the West Valley games are convenient for me, but I'm thinking of the team

Also where will the players practice?


CalFanatic said:
Softball to play home games at Sac State and West Valley (former Cal great Vicky Galindo is HC).

https://calbears.com/news/2025/12/11/cal-softball-announces-plans-for-2026-home-games.aspx


Based upon recent Instagram posts, they've held practices in Memorial Stadium and Maxwell Field.
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OBear073akaSMFan
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6:20p, 1/27/26
Acc pre-season poll.

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kc1121
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In reply to OBear073akaSMFan • 6:48p, 1/27/26
this was cut off from your post:

2026 Softball Preseason All-ACC Team
Infielders
Aminah Vega, Duke
Jaysoni Beachum, Florida State
Isa Torres, Florida State
Jade Hylton, Virginia
River Mahler, Stanford

Outfielders:
D'Auna Jennings, Duke
Kennedy Harp, Florida State
Sanaa Thompson, North Carolina
Emily Jones, Stanford

Pitchers:
Ashtyn Danley, Florida State
Jazzy Francik, Florida State
Eden Bigham, Virginia

Catcher:
Kairi Rodriguez, Duke

DP/UTL:
Macey Cintron, Clemson
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CalFanatic
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6:57p, 1/27/26
I'll be honest. I'm shocked coaches rated us that high with no home field this season, only 2 seniors, your #1 is a freshman, etc . Speaks volumes about the Singleton hire.
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Shocky1
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9:57a, 1/28/26
it also speaks volumes that the schools cal is ranked ahead of in the acc are located in areas with SNOW that prohibit playing softball outside during the majority of the winter

cal fanatic, can you clarify the financial cost of the prior's coach contract which wuz unwisely extended by jennifer simon-o'neil before the bully coach mentally imploded which basically ran off all the players & coaches did this fiduciary mismanagement cost the university??

is chancellor lyons holding the worthless co athletic directors accountable for their fiduciary mismanagement??
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Igber226
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12:31p, 1/28/26
Don't all the schools in snow country have field houses? And play dome games in the preseason? They certainly migrate south during spring break so they must have had a good chunk of practice before then.
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CalFanatic
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In reply to Igber226 • 2:11p, 1/28/26
Igber226 said:
Don't all the schools in snow country have field houses? And play dome games in the preseason? They certainly migrate south during spring break so they must have had a good chunk of practice before then.

That's correct. Indoor tournaments are a thing, too. Iowa State and North Dakota State have traditionally hosted a big one during the preseason, and Minnesota is hosting the Gopher Indoor Classic this year. It's completely normal and even with the travel, it's not a necessity for these programs.

Fun little interview with Assistant Coach Corona.

https://instagr.am/p/DUESHByCS-p
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