UCLA softball is back at square one after losing in extra innings to Tennessee at last year’s Women’s College World Series.
For its 2026 season-opening weekend slate, UCLA softball will play at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament and the Mark Campbell Invitational. The former competition includes games against UC Santa Barbara and Northern Colorado on Friday and another match against UC Riverside on Sunday at Easton Stadium. UCLA will also face Oregon State and Utah at Bill Barber Park on Saturday for the latter invitational.
The Bruins are heading into the new season with high expectations given their long history of success on the field, including their recent visit to Oklahoma City to close out the previous season. UCLA is the most decorated program in NCAA softball history with 12 national championships – most recently winning the 2019 title – establishing high standards for the team coming into the 2026 campaign.
However, like any year, UCLA has experienced change.
Former director of softball administration Kirk Walker retired, while former assistant coach Madilyn Nickles-Camarena has since been replaced by Mysha Sataraka.
“We’ve hit the ground running this year,” said sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp. “She’s (Sataraka has) been working specifically with the outfield, so I’ve gotten more time with her than most, and she’s a really helpful addition to the team.”
UCLA also renovated its stadium, improving the field with a new drainage line, tamed tree roots, and new grass and dirt.
“Right now, we’re doing pretty good as far as the field,” said Director of Athletic Grounds Kirt Bakos. “It’s been renovated, and now it’s just up to me and my crew to go in and maintain it.”
The team has also shifted in its composition, between graduated seniors, incoming freshmen – the No. 6 class nationally – and transfers.
The Bruins added infielder Bri Alejandre and utility Jolyna Lamar in their 2025 signing class. Both were top-15 players nationally at No. 13 and No. 10, respectively. Alejandre posted a .513 junior season batting average, and Lamar delivered a .529 average over three years, providing the team with young hitting prowess.
“For the transfers in general and the freshmen, making them feel welcome, making them feel like family – we do a very good job with that,” said redshirt junior catcher Alexis Ramirez.
But while UCLA has experienced a prospective offensive boost, its pitching staff lost considerable pieces during the offseason. Both pitcher/outfielder Kaitlyn Terry and pitcher/utility Addisen Fisher left UCLA in June, which will place the majority of the responsibility on senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley.
The Bruins are still expected to perform well and make it back to Oklahoma City in the 2026 season, even with significant changes.
“For me, more than anything, I want to play for our seniors,” Ramirez said. “We have three big seniors: Jordan (infielder Jordan Woolery), Meg (utility Megan Grant) and Tins (Tinsley). … I want to make it a good year for them and hopefully see them hold that trophy, and that’ll fulfill me more than anything.”
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