SAINT LEO, Fla. – The 20th-ranked Saint Leo University softball team is set to open the 2026 season this weekend as it begins a new season. The Lions will play six games in three days at the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala. before returning home for its home opener on February 7 with a doubleheader against Mississippi College.

Saint Leo is coming off a third straight trip to the postseason in 2025, highlighted by a 40–14 overall record and a second-place finish in the SSC with a 21–9 mark. The Lions reached the 40-win plateau for the second time in three seasons and hosted the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament for the second time during that span. After an 8–8 start, Saint Leo surged down the stretch, riding a 16-game winning streak to earn hosting duties and cement its place among the region's elite.

The Lions return a strong core for the 2026 season, including All-Region honorees Alexis Barber, Briana Neal, Sydney Cline, and Tierney Hocquard, along with All-SSC First Team outfielder Maddie Antioco. The Green & Gold also welcome four freshmen and two transfers, Izzy LaRoche (Seminole State) and Alex Wright (USF), as Saint Leo looks to build on its continued success.

Head Coach Erin Kinberger enters her 11th season leading her alma mater. Kinberger was honored by her SSC coaching peers as the 2025 SSC Softball Coach of the Year. Thanks to a collective effort of leading the Green & Gold, the coaching staff of Kinberger, Zack Carver, Lexi Carver and Pat Affrunti were recognized as the ATEC/NFCA Division II South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Saint Leo was picked to finish in a tie for first place with Tampa in the 2026 SSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Lions and the Spartans each received 90 votes, as Saint Leo earned four first place votes. In the NFCA/GoRout Preseason Coaches Poll, the Lions are ranked 20th and in the opening weekend will take on #12 AUM. 
 
2026 Saint Leo Softball Schedule 
2026 Saint Leo Softball Roster