Troy University Athletics
Friday, February 6
Troy, Ala.
2:30 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Middle Tennessee
Softball Set to Open Season with Trojan Classic
2/5/2026 12:00:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – The long offseason comes to an end for Troy softball on Friday with the start of the Trojan Classic. The Trojans begin the 2026 season with three straight home tournaments.
Along with the addition of pitching coach Elizabeth Hightower, head coach Eric Newell brought in nine transfers and three freshmen to pair with Troy's eight returners from 2025.
"We are looking forward to opening weekend with incredible anticipation," Newell said. "The girls have worked incredibly hard preparing for not only opening weekend but for the spring season that is now before us. We're excited to open our season at home and look forward to a great Trojan Classic."
Game Information
What: Trojan Classic
Date: Feb. 6 | Feb. 6 | Feb. 7 | Feb. 7 | Feb. 8
Times: 2:30 p.m. | 5 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 2:30 p.m.
Who: Middle Tennessee | Chattanooga | North Alabama | Chattanooga | Southern
Location: Troy, Ala. – Troy Softball Complex
Watch: ESPN+ for Troy games on Feb. 6 and Feb. 8
New Look Trojans
Among the transfers the Trojans brought in are four Power Four transfers in Ella Cunningham (Michigan State), Kyye Ricks (South Carolina), Kam Munson (NC State) and Kiley Huffman (Texas Tech). Huffman brings Oklahoma City experience to the Wiregrass, as she appeared in a Women's College World Series game and a Super Regional contest with the Red Raiders.
Newell also brought in Lydia Kirby, Emma Banks, Sophia Jenkins, Kalee Rochinski and Amity White as transfers from mid-majors and JUCOs across the country. Freshmen Abby Lovell, Jasmine Lawrence and Presley Ivey round out the newcomers for Troy.
Troy's eight returners include Saturday starter Mya Holt, single-season batting average record holder McKinnon Howard, everyday second baseman Makaley Boswell, pitchers Savannah Money and Esmee Ames, Dailynn Motes, Mia Tidmore and Megan Loftis.
Analyzing the Competition
The Trojans start the weekend off with Middle Tennessee, which finished 26-27 last season. Hailing from C-USA, the Blue Raiders were picked to finish ninth in the conference in 2026. However, the team is led by plenty of star power in Preseason All-Conference members Ansley Blevins and Jana Want – Blevins is a two-time First Team All-Conference honoree, and Want won the C-USA Freshman of the Year award last season.
Chattanooga rolls into Troy a season after posting a 41-15 record and claiming the SoCon regular season title. The Mocs are poised to have another strong year in conference play, being picked to finish second in the preseason polls. After recording a 2.56 ERA last season, right-handed pitcher Taylor Long earned a preseason All-Conference nod.
Coming out of the ASUN, North Alabama looks to improve on its 30-21 record from 2025 in a tough mid-major conference. The Lions are led by a shutdown pitching staff, with Alivia Wilken and Emily Simon each earning votes from coaches and being named co-ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
After going 22-24 last season and finishing 13-11 in SWAC play, Southern looks to further improve. Head coach Brittney Williams guided the Jaguars to their highest win total since 2008 last year. Asia George, who posted an .800 OPS in 46 starts last year, returns for her senior season.
Notables
Along with the addition of pitching coach Elizabeth Hightower, head coach Eric Newell brought in nine transfers and three freshmen to pair with Troy's eight returners from 2025.
"We are looking forward to opening weekend with incredible anticipation," Newell said. "The girls have worked incredibly hard preparing for not only opening weekend but for the spring season that is now before us. We're excited to open our season at home and look forward to a great Trojan Classic."
Game Information
What: Trojan Classic
Date: Feb. 6 | Feb. 6 | Feb. 7 | Feb. 7 | Feb. 8
Times: 2:30 p.m. | 5 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 2:30 p.m.
Who: Middle Tennessee | Chattanooga | North Alabama | Chattanooga | Southern
Location: Troy, Ala. – Troy Softball Complex
Watch: ESPN+ for Troy games on Feb. 6 and Feb. 8
New Look Trojans
Among the transfers the Trojans brought in are four Power Four transfers in Ella Cunningham (Michigan State), Kyye Ricks (South Carolina), Kam Munson (NC State) and Kiley Huffman (Texas Tech). Huffman brings Oklahoma City experience to the Wiregrass, as she appeared in a Women's College World Series game and a Super Regional contest with the Red Raiders.
Newell also brought in Lydia Kirby, Emma Banks, Sophia Jenkins, Kalee Rochinski and Amity White as transfers from mid-majors and JUCOs across the country. Freshmen Abby Lovell, Jasmine Lawrence and Presley Ivey round out the newcomers for Troy.
Troy's eight returners include Saturday starter Mya Holt, single-season batting average record holder McKinnon Howard, everyday second baseman Makaley Boswell, pitchers Savannah Money and Esmee Ames, Dailynn Motes, Mia Tidmore and Megan Loftis.
Analyzing the Competition
The Trojans start the weekend off with Middle Tennessee, which finished 26-27 last season. Hailing from C-USA, the Blue Raiders were picked to finish ninth in the conference in 2026. However, the team is led by plenty of star power in Preseason All-Conference members Ansley Blevins and Jana Want – Blevins is a two-time First Team All-Conference honoree, and Want won the C-USA Freshman of the Year award last season.
Chattanooga rolls into Troy a season after posting a 41-15 record and claiming the SoCon regular season title. The Mocs are poised to have another strong year in conference play, being picked to finish second in the preseason polls. After recording a 2.56 ERA last season, right-handed pitcher Taylor Long earned a preseason All-Conference nod.
Coming out of the ASUN, North Alabama looks to improve on its 30-21 record from 2025 in a tough mid-major conference. The Lions are led by a shutdown pitching staff, with Alivia Wilken and Emily Simon each earning votes from coaches and being named co-ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
After going 22-24 last season and finishing 13-11 in SWAC play, Southern looks to further improve. Head coach Brittney Williams guided the Jaguars to their highest win total since 2008 last year. Asia George, who posted an .800 OPS in 46 starts last year, returns for her senior season.
Notables
- Troy is 3-0 in season openers under head coach Eric Newell
- The Trojans are 34-20 all-time against former Sun Belt Conference foe Middle Tennessee -- Troy takes on the Blue Raiders for the first time since 2014
- Troy holds a 4-2 all-time record against Chattanooga, with 2-1 and 3-0 marks against North Alabama and Southern, respectively
- Newell brings back eight returners from 2025, adding nine transfers and three freshmen to the squad
- Freshman left-handed pitcher Abby Lovell was named to the D1 Softball Top 100 Freshman Watchlist and the Softball America Freshman Watchlist after a stellar career at Northside High School in Columbus, Ga.
- Last season, McKinnon Howard shattered the Troy single-season batting average record with a mark of .439, surpassing Kate Benton's .411 average in 2016
- Makaley Boswell scored 53 runs last season, tied for third in a single-season in program history behind Taylor McKinney and Sandy Atkins' mark of 54
- The Trojans have six 2025 NCAA Regional teams on the schedule, including three games against Auburn and clashes with Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech
- Four teams set to play Troy this season are included in D1 Softball's Mid-Major Top 25 Preseason Rankings: Texas State (No. 4), Omaha (No. 5), Coastal Carolina (No. 6) and Radford (No. 23)
- In 2025, Troy's .506 team slugging percentage was the highest in program history -- the Trojans' 0.892 team OPS was also the highest mark in Troy history
- Within the past two seasons under Eric Newell, the Trojans have hit 64 (2024) and 63 (2025) homers, good for the highest and second-highest number in a season in program history
Players Mentioned
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OF
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