Softball Opens 2026 Campaign at East Texas A&M Leadoff

Friday, February 6

Commerce, Texas

12:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. CT

Bucknell University

Texas Southern

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

Softball Opens 2026 Campaign at East Texas A&M Leadoff

2/5/2026 9:00:00 AM | Softball

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell softball begins its 48th season this weekend at the East Texas A&M Leadoff. The Bison launch a brand new era under first year head coach and 2004 alumna Angela Stackhouse. The Orange & Blue will play two games on Friday, two more on Saturday, and finish with a single contest on Sunday.

The Starting Lineup
What: East Texas A&M Leadoff
Where: John Cain Family Softball Complex (Commerce, Texas)
When: February 6-8
Tournament Central: Lionathletics.com

Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)

Friday, February 6
12:15 p.m. | vs. Texas Southern | Live Stats | Watch
4:45 p.m. | at East Texas A&M | Live Stats | Watch

Saturday, February 7
12:15 p.m | vs. Stephen F. Austin | Live Stats | Watch
4:15 p.m. | South Dakota State | Live Stats | Watch

Sunday, February 8
10 a.m. | vs. St. Bonaventure | Live Stats | Watch

Stackhouse's Statement

"We are excited to get outside and start playing the game we love! We are playing a mix of talent this weekend and want to focus on getting everyone some experience. I think we will learn a lot about our pitching staff and start to see how the batting order will take shape.

Opening weekend is where our grit shows and our culture takes shape. Every pitch, every out, every moment together is building the team we want to be by the time conference rolls around."

The Inside "Herd" on the Bison

Bucknell opens the season with 21 players - five seniors, four juniors, six sophomores, and six freshmen.
There are actually seven newcomers to the Bucknell roster. Sophomore Rosanna Merturi transferred from Holy Cross but did not participate in collegiate athletics.
The rookie class is expected to receive heavy play with the two freshmen pitchers Nina Barrouk and Avery Powers headlining the class.
Brooke Popella was the sole Bison on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
The Bison were predicted to finish fourth in the seven-team conference.

Overview of the Opposition

Texas Southern- The Tigers finished 14-25 overall and 13-11 in the SWAC last season. Star two-way player Kylie Wilson returns for the TSU. She hit a team-high .410 and went 7-7 in the circle.
East Texas A&M- The Lions continued to face challenges in their third season of Division I competition, finishing 10-42 overall and 6-21 in the deep Southland Conference last season. Tatum Wright enjoyed an unexpected power surge in 2025, hitting 13 home runs. She had zero in her first two seasons.
Stephen F. Austin- The Lumberjacks went 27-29 overall and 14-13 in the Southland Conference last year. Kaylee Paul blossomed into one of the circuit's best hitting, surging from a paltry .154 average to a blistering .442 mark.
South Dakota State- The Jackrabbits finished 29-26 overall and 13-5 in the Summit last season. The Jacks were picked to finish third in the Summit and Akayla Barnard received Pitcher to Watch after logging ten wins in 2025. Star hitter Abby Gentry returns after winning the 2025 Summit Player of the Year and being named an NFCA All-Region 1st Team selection. She batted .427 with 70 hits, 16 doubles, nine home runs, 37 runs scored and 56 RBIs.
St. Bonaventure- The Bonnies went 11-35 mark overall and 5-20 in the Atlantic 10 last year. St. Bonaventure begins a new era as well with head coach Camden Decker taking the reigns. Leading hitter Kymora Wong returns after hitting .348 with 13 doubles, four triples, and three home runs.

History with the Foes

Texas Southern- Bucknell is 0-2 all-time versus the Tigers. Both meetings occurred in 2013.
East Texas A&M- This is the first meeting.
Stephen F. Austin- This is the first meeting
South Dakota State- This is the first meeting
St. Bonaventure- Bucknell is 4-0 all-time against the Bonnies. The series began in 1988 and the most recent meeting was an 8-7 Bucknell win in 2013.

Up Next

Bucknell will rest next weekend before resuming game play Feb. 20-22 at the UNCG Invitational.