TAMPA, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Softball opens the 2026 campaign on Thursday in Tampa, Florida, as the Wildcats take part in the USF-Rawlings Invitational at USF Softball Stadium. Joining the Maroon and Gold in the field are South Florida, Illinois State, Kansas, Michigan, and No. 6 Florida.


Thursday, Feb. 5
12:30 p.m. – vs. Illinois State | Live Stats
3:05 p.m. – vs. South Florida | ESPN+ | Live Stats | Listen
 
Friday, Feb. 6 
9 a.m. – vs. Kansas | Live Stats  
11:30 a.m. – vs. Michigan | Live Stats
 
Saturday, Feb. 7
6 p.m. – vs. No. 6 Florida | Live Stats | Listen
 

• Senior outfielder Emma Bradley-Tse was named to the SWAC Preseason Second-Team. She returns having ranked first on the team in batting average and tied for first in RBI in 2025. 
• The Wildcats will welcome 17 freshman to the fold in 2026, who make up 70% of the entire roster. Bethune-Cookman will have to replace 62% of its RBI production from last season.
• Sofia Vallejos-Coleman is the only returning pitcher from last season. She pitched to an 0-4 record and recorded a 4.98 ERA in 39.1 innings of work.
• Bethune-Cookman is projected to finish fourth in the east division according to the SWAC Preseason Poll.

 

▪ Bethune-Cookman is 1-1 all-time against Illinois State. The two teams faced in 2024 in Tampa with the Wildcats coming out on top in nine innings.
▪ The Wildcats have faced South Florida 17 times. The Bulls lead the series 13-4 and have won the previous nine meetings.
▪ B-CU is 1-5 all-time against the Jayhawks. The last matchup was a Wildcat victory in 2019.
▪ Against Michigan, the Cats are 0-3, most recently suffering a narrow 3-2 loss to the Wolverines in 2024.
▪ This will be the 25th matchup between the Wildcats and Gators. Florida holds a decisive 19-4 edge in the series and have won the last 10 meetings.
 

SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Tina Kramos (4th season)
2025 Batting Average: .259; Runs Per Game: 3.5; Hits Per Game: 7.0; Slugging Percentage: .344
2025 ERA: 3.58; K/BB Ratio: 1.3; Opp. Batting Avg: .287
 
SCOUTING SOUTH FLORIDA
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Ken Eriksen (30th season)
2025 Batting Average: .323; Runs Per Game: 6.0; Hits Per Game: 7.7; Slugging Percentage: .514
2025 ERA: 3.05; K/BB Ratio: 1.7; Opp. Batting Avg: .256
 
SCOUTING KANSAS
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Jennifer McFalls (9th season)
2024 Batting Average: .272; Runs Per Game: 4.7; Hits Per Game: 7.3; Slugging Percentage: .423
2024 ERA: 4.04; K/BB Ratio: 1.1; Opp. Batting Avg: .270
 
SCOUTING MICHIGAN
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – NR | ESPN.com/USA Softball – NR
Head Coach: Bonnie Tholl (4th season)
2025 Batting Average: .309; Runs Per Game: 5.5; Hits Per Game: 8.3; Slugging Percentage: .486
2025 ERA: 3.16; K/BB Ratio: 2.1; Opp. Batting Avg: .233
 
SCOUTING FLORIDA
Rankings: USA Today/NFCA Coaches – 6 | ESPN.com/USA Softball – 6
Head Coach: Tim Walton (21st season)
2025 Batting Average: .334; Runs Per Game: 7.3; Hits Per Game: 8.7; Slugging Percentage: .589
2025 ERA: 3.04; K/BB Ratio: 1.5; Opp. Batting Avg: .239
 
ADMISSIONS
Tickets for the event can be accessed here.
 
 
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