Story Links
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.
FOLLOW THE WILDCATS
Follow Bethune-Cookman Softball on X/Twitter (@BCUSoftball) and Instagram (@BCUSoftball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.