SEASON PREVIEW: 2026 Madison College WolfPack Softball

It has been five years since the Madison College softball team has made an appearance on the national stage, and after a few recent near misses, the WolfPack seem primed to make the 2026 season one to remember. Head coach Leo Kalinowski, who begins his 16th season leading the program, believes the optimism is high as the season's first games have arrived.

“With several key contributors graduating, we have important holes to fill in the infield and behind the plate. Fortunately, a group of solid, athletic players is ready to step into those roles and make an immediate impact. In the outfield, multiple players will compete for starting spots, creating strong competition and valuable depth across the roster. We’re looking forward to a strong season built on a combination of experienced returnees and talented newcomers. This blend of leadership, athleticism, and competitiveness gives us confidence as we pursue our ultimate goal: competing for a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament.”

Returners

The WolfPack will lean on ten returning players to guide the program back to the top of the region, with outfielder Raegen Schwarz sitting atop that list after earning First Team All-Region 4 as a freshman. Schwarz batted .450 with 59 hits, 58 runs batted in, and 39 runs scored. Emily Bopes, Bailey Mester, and Hayden Schabel will also help in the outfield, while Hanna Stremkowski, Macie Studzinski, Shelby Brooks, and Bertina Dodge will fill gaps in the infield and throughout the lineup. Returning pitchers Lauryn Etienne and Jeneya Marquez Perez have big shoes to fill after the departure of two all-region pitchers from last season; however, the tandem was a combined 5-1 with 24 strikeouts over 32 innings last year.

“We have strong, experienced second year players that bring game experience and leadership. Leading the return in outfield and swinging a big bat will be Raegan Schwarz. Emily Bopes and Bailey Mester will add depth to the outfield, along with Hayden Schabel, when not catching.”

Newcomers

A group of 13 incoming players makes up this season's crop of newcomers. Infielder Ella Knoble (Milton, WI), who was part of two WIAA State Tournament qualifying teams in high school, is one of three new pitchers to join the squad, as well as outfielder Kelsey Meverden (Wausau, WI) and Gretta Lewis (Holladay, UT). Other infielders include four-time all-conference selection Sophia Golembiewski (Monroe, WI), Haleigh Benisch (Sun Prairie, WI), Aubrey Juga (Kenosha, WI), Addie Fritts (Madison, WI), Cathryn Zegadlo (Cottage Grove, WI), and Addalyn Henderson (Rockford, IL). One intriguing newcomer is Torin Slaughter (Racine, W(), a transfer from NCAA Division II University of Indianapolis, who brings a powerful bat as an injury has limited her options in the field.

“We have several solid, athletic players ready to step in and fill key infield and catching positions left open by non-returners. In the outfield, multiple players will compete for starting spots, creating strong competition and added depth across the roster.”

Schedule

The 2026 schedule gets underway with the team's annual South Carolina Spring Break trip, where they will play ten games from March 12-17 near Myrtle Beach. The season-opener against PSU Dubois will be followed by a showdown with Patrick & Henry Community College, which is ranked #2 in the NJCAA Division III Preseason Poll. Near the end of the trip, the WolfPack will take on #23-ranked Louisburg College and then play their first Region 4 game against Oakton College. After a doubleheader at Kishwaukee College on March 25, Madison College welcomes #5-ranked Rock Valley College to Robert D. Goodman Softball Field for a key Region 4 clash in the home opener. The next ten games will be on the road before the Pack plays 12 of the final 18 games at home, a stretch that includes a twin bill against Black Hawk College, who is receiving votes in the preseason poll. Sophomore Day will be celebrated on April 26 against Moraine Valley Community College. The postseason begins May 1-2 with Region 4 Quarterfinal Tournaments, with winners advancing to the Region 4 Tournament in Moline, Illinois, from May 8-9. The 2026 NJCAA Division II Softball Championships will be held May 19-24 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.