TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Fresh off a championship spring, Stillman College softball opens the 2026 season Sunday, Feb. 1, with a road doubleheader at Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama, as the Tigers set out to keep their momentum rolling into a new year.
Head coach Joel Penfield returns a veteran group anchored by nine seniors and believes this team has the pieces to be strong in every phase from the start.
"We're looking forward to opening day on Feb. 1. I'm excited to return nine seniors. I'm feeling good about our bats and our ability to put up runs. Our pitching staff is strong, with a couple of new faces. Defensively, we'll be much of the same, with a couple of new faces as well. Everyone knows the goal, so let's go!" Penfield said.
With that experience at the core, several Tigers enter the spring as key players to watch. Stillman's veteran senior class provides leadership and stability across the lineup, while the pitching staff returns proven arms and adds new faces that could deepen the rotation early. Penfield also expects the Tigers' offense to be a consistent strength, with a group capable of producing runs in bunches and applying pressure throughout the order. Defensively, Stillman's returning pieces should keep the unit steady, with new additions working into the mix as the season progresses.
Stillman's home slate begins the first weekend of February, when the Tigers host Blue Mountain University for a four-game set at River Run Park in Tuscaloosa. From there, Stillman will be tested early with nonconference road trips to Tuskegee, William Carey, and UT Southern before the schedule intensifies later in the month.
Conference play opens at home Feb. 21-22 against Dillard University, and the Tigers will continue league action into March with a road series at Wiley in Marshall, Texas, followed by key home dates against Oakwood, Rust, and Huston-Tillotson. Stillman also heads to Columbus, Georgia, for the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Feb. 27-28 as part of a busy early-season stretch.
The postseason will again bring championship softball to West Alabama, with Tuscaloosa set to host the conference tournament at River Run Park in Northport, giving Tigers fans another chance to rally behind Stillman in the title chase.
For the full 2026 schedule and the latest updates all season long, visit GoStillman.com and follow Stillman softball on social media.
