GOSHEN, Ind. - The Goshen College softball program has been riding the most significant stretch in the program's history over the last seven years. The graduating class of 2025 left with more conference wins than any prior senior class. Head coach Luke Wagner already has more conference wins than any other coach in the history of the team, and he just finished year three. And with excellent team chemistry, the team is ready to make waves yet again in 2026.

Speaking of waves, the team starts the season tonight just 20 minutes off the coast of the Pacific Ocean at the Space Coast Spring Games in Melbourne, Florida. The Leafs take on Oakland City in a doubleheader beginning at 6:00 pm at the Space Coast Complex Fast Pitch Stadium. They will be the first two of ten total games down in the Sunshine State before playing their first home games in a doubleheader against Saint Mary's College on Friday, March 6. Then they begin the Crossroads League season on Tuesday, March 10, at home against Saint Francis.

Goshen won eight straight conference games in 2025, their longest win streak in league play in 24 years. While a couple of key cogs in Shea VanScoter and Alyssa McDonald have since graduated, it is a "next woman up" mentality in the softball program - a team that has made the league tournament each year since 2019, except for the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season.

"I think fans will certainly recognize certain names in the game recaps," said Wagner, "but I wouldn't be surprised if after some games, fans feel like they are learning a completely new roster - which is hopefully exciting for those that follow our program." Wagner shared that both returners and first-year additions are bought in and prepared to represent Goshen College to the best of their abilities. "Every four to five years you are rotating exciting new student-athletes into the program who are hungry to leave their mark and contribute to Goshen's overall success. This year, we have just that. We have a hungry group of athletes that are eager to create their own identities and elevate the program."

Pitchers Esme Pico, Camryn Barrows and Tatem Adams all return. One of the three of them was responsible for 12 of the 18 winning decisions in the circle last year. Ella Mcleod, Bianca Diamond and Brinleigh Arredondo are a few of the key hitter returning for this season. Mcleod hit .345 and Diamond had 38 hits and 23 RBIs. Arredondo had 32 hits and 19 RBIs.

"I think there is a great feel within the program right now coming from a clarity of vision and mission," shared Wagner. "Everyone appears to be on the same page and when you have high levels of synergy, special things can happen."