PROVO, Utah — BYU softball kicks off its 2026 season this week, traveling to Clearwater, Florida, for the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
The Cougars will face five Power 4 opponents to open the season, beginning with No. 4 Tennessee on opening night. BYU will also match up with Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State and Missouri in doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.
| 2026 NFCA Leadoff Classic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| No. 4 Tennessee | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7 p.m. ET | GameChanger | Stat Broadcast |
| Michigan State | Friday, Feb. 6 | 5 p.m. ET | GameChanger | Stat Broadcast |
| Notre Dame | Friday, Feb. 6 | 8 p.m. ET | GameChanger | Stat Broadcast |
| Penn State | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 3 p.m. ET | GameChanger | Stat Broadcast |
| Missouri | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 6 p.m. ET | GameChanger | Stat Broadcast |
Picked to finish sixth in the Big 12 after placing there each of the last two seasons, the Cougars went 32-17 (13-11 Big 12) last year and return six of their top nine hitters this season in Ilove'a Brittingham, Lily Owens, Hailey Morrow, Maddie Udall-Woolley, Miranda Mansfield and Bre Townsend.
Brittingham and Owens were both named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, with Brittingham a unanimous selection by the league's coaches. BYU also brings back Kaysen Korth, Jada Villegas and Gianna Mares, all key contributors to the Cougar pitching staff.
Newcomers this season include Duke transfer sophomore Hailey Shuler, who is a right-handed pitcher and utility player, to go along with four freshman in catcher Kaiya Fabela, infielder Alyssa Grajeda, right-handed pitcher/outfielder Rita Tavita and infielder Irma Urincho.
As a team, BYU ranked eighth nationally in home runs per game last season at 1.63. The Cougars finished No. 16 in total home runs (80), No. 23 in slugging percentage (.540) and No. 23 in double plays per game (0.49).
Individually, Brittingham ranked third nationally with 1.41 RBI per game. She also finished seventh in home runs per game (0.43), 14th in total home runs (21), 18th in total RBIs (69) and 25th in slugging percentage (.839). Korth joined her in the national top 15, ranking 13th with five saves.
In addition to her preseason All-Big 12 recognition, Brittingham was also ranked No. 11 on D1Softball's preseason outfielder ranking, No. 14 on Softball America's utility player rankings and No. 49 on D1Softball D100 preseason player rankings.
Freshmen Fabela and Tavita earned spots on the Softball America and D1Softball D100 freshman watch lists. Morrow was ranked No. 9 on D1Softball’s preseason shortstop list, while Owens checked in at No. 21 on the outlet’s preseason outfielder rankings.
The Cougars have faced each of their opponents this week at least once in series history, most recently in 2023:
Tennessee (2025: 47-17, 23-7 SEC)
- The Lady Vols leads the all-time series, 10-1.
- BYU is 1-7 against UT at neutral sites.
- The two teams last met on Feb. 24, 2022 at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, a 10-3 Tennessee win.
Michigan State (2025: 16-29, 6-16 Big Ten)
- BYU leads the series 2-0, with both wins coming at neutral sites.
- The last meeting between the Cougars and Spartans was Mar. 8, 2002 at the Southern Florida Tournament, a 2-0 BYU victory.
Notre Dame (2025: 21-31-1, 7-17 ACC)
- The Fighting Irish lead the series 4-0, with all four previous matchups also coming at neutral sites.
- BYU and ND last met on Feb. 20, 2020 at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, with the Cougars falling, 11-1 in five innings.
Penn State (2025: 25-27, 10-12 Big Ten)
- The Nittany Lions lead the series 1-0, with the only previous meeting also coming at a neutral site.
- The last meeting between BYU and PSU Mar, 10, 2007 at Fresno State's Bulldog Classic, a 17-4 Penn State win in five innings.
Missouri (2025: 25-31, 6-18 SEC)
- Mizzou leads the all-time series 4-2, with a 3-2 record at neutral sites.
- The Cougars and Tigers last met on Feb. 23, 2023 at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, a five-inning Mizzou victory.
Following its five-game slate in Florida, BYU will visit the state of Texas for a single-game at Incarnate Word, before taking part in the Texas State State's Up Invitational.