Kent State University
IU Indy
Kent State Softball to Open 2026 Season at Wofford’s Terrier Invite
2/5/2026 10:29:00 AM | Softball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The 51st season of Kent State University varsity softball begins in Spartanburg, South Carolina at with five games as part of the Terrier Invite hosted by Wofford College.
Live stats will be available for all games via SIDEARM Sports, and both games against Wofford can be watched on ESPN+.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, February 6Â Â
10:00 a.m.   vs. IU Indy
3:090 p.m.   at Wofford
Saturday, February 7Â Â Â Â
10:00 a.m.      vs. IU Indy
3 p.m.             vs. Monmouth                      Â
Sunday, February 8
12:30 a.m.      at Wofford
About the Flashes
Head coach Jessica O'Donnell enters her third season leading the Golden Flashes with a 19-member roster that includes 9 retuning players and 10 newcomers. All three of Kent State's trio of All-MAC Second Team honorees from the 2025 season return including senior utility player Brynn Libler. Libler recorded a .365 average, 61 hits, 14 RBIs, 21 walks, and a HR last season. Junior infielder Megan Claerhout returns after averaging .358, racking up 38 hits, 24 RBIs, and a pair of home runs. Redshirt junior pitcher Kendal Leitner tallied 27 strikeouts over 42.0 innings pitched. Offensively, she batted .400, with 46 hits, 37 RBIs, eight doubles, and six home runs. The top six teams in the final conference standings will qualify for the 2026 MAC Tournament, which will be played Firestone Stadium in Akron from May 6-9.
Scouting the Opposition
Wofford
The hosting Wofford Terriers posted a record of 30-22 last season. They were picked fourth in the preseason poll with 32 points. The Terriers had four preseason all-conference selections, led by Axelson's selection to the first team. Axelson, who has been a first-team all-conference selection in each of the last two seasons, threw 18 complete games with a 1.99 ERA in 2025. Wofford placed pitcher Abby Greenwood, infielder Brianna Stanley and outfielder Rivers Sampson on the preseason second team.
IU Indy
The IU Indy Jaguars went 22-27 in 2025. They were picked second in the Horizon League Preseason Poll. The Jags finished third in the standings last season with a 15-9 mark in conference play. Headlining the returning group is Horizon League Player of the Year, Molly Kable. The senior from New London, Wisconsin led the Jags at the plate with a .421 batting average (64-for-152) starting all 49 games. She collected 48 RBI, 14 doubles, nine home runs and 36 runs. Callie Dickerson, a Horizon League All-Freshman Team honoree, also returns for the Jags. Dickerson played in 48 games with a .298 batting average with 29 RBI and 12 doubles. She also led the Jags in ERA with a 4.45 mark in 22 appearances.
Monmouth
The Monmouth University Hawks posted a record of 11-42 last season. They enter 2026 having been picked fourth in the CAA Preseason Coaches' Poll North Division with eight votes. Morgan Royer enters her second season at the helm of the Hawks program. On offense they are headlined by returning junior infielder Liv Smith batted .294 with 30 hits and seven stolen bases in 2025. Senior pitcher Jayla Cadena returns after she tallied the majority of Monmouth's wins and racked up 30 strikeouts last season.
On Deck for the Flashes
After this weekend, the Golden Flashes will be back in action Feb. 13-15 in the Winthrop Garnet & Gold Tournament. Kent State will take on Robert Morris University, Winthrop University, and Le Moyne College.
Follow Kent State Softball
For complete coverage of Kent State Softball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.
Follow Kent State Athletics
For complete coverage of Kent State Athletics, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram , and Facebook for news and updates.
