BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Heading into the 2026 softball season, the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners are excited to get a new year underway. With just a couple months between now and Opening Day, CSUB will finish final preparations to be ready for another run at The Big West.

“We are extremely excited heading into the 2026 season,” said Interim Head Coach Alyssa Graham. “As a brand-new team, we’re embracing the opportunity to rebrand ourselves and set a powerful new standard. The competitive energy we’ve built has pushed our student-athletes to elevate every day, while still fully supporting one another. Just as important, the positive bond and chemistry on this team continue to grow, making our foundation even stronger.”

The CSUB softball program assembled a challenging schedule that features a total of 14 games against seven different opponents that were NCAA Tournament participants a year ago. The grueling slate will prepare the `Runners for the 2026 Big West schedule and the opportunity to qualify for CSUB’s first league tournament.

“The momentum is real, and we’re ready to make a statement,” Graham added.

Non-Conference Tournaments

Cal State Bakersfield will once again kick off the season at the UCF Black & Gold Classic, Feb. 5-8. The `Runners earned statement wins at the tournament in 2025, including the program’s first win over a Big Ten team (Illinois) since 2010, and the 2026 lineup features strong opposition like No. 21 Duke and (RV) UCF.

Graham said her squad relishes the opportunity to return to Orlando this season: “Our athletes absolutely loved the environment and level of competitiveness at UCF. The tournament provides a high-energy atmosphere that challenges our team and brings out the best in us. It was an experience that helped set the tone for our season, and it made the decision to return an easy one.”

The following three weekends feature trips to tournaments hosted by California Baptist, Utah Tech, and Arizona State/GCU, tough opposition for the `Runners who aim to be prepared for league play.

“The Big West is extremely competitive, and on any given day, anyone can win,” Graham said. “Facing tough non-conference opponents allows our team to see that they can truly compete with anyone, and that belief will only continue to fuel the fight and edge we know they have within themselves.”

Midweek Matchups

Sprinkled in the middle of the 2026 schedule are a couple matchups with strong regional programs coming to Bakersfield:

• Fresno State, Mar. 31
• Utah Tech (DH), Apr. 7

When CSUB hosts cross-Valley rival Fresno State in any sport, the `Runners dub the game the “Rally for the Valley”. Bakersfield will host the Bulldogs for the first time since 2013, an opportunity not lost on the `Runners:

“It’s extremely exciting for our program and for the Bakersfield community to host Fresno State again for the first time in over a decade. That matchup brings a lot of energy, history, and excitement back to our field. Fresno State is a strong, well-respected program, so it’s going to be a great test for us and a fun opportunity for our athletes to compete in front of our home crowd. We’re really looking forward to the atmosphere and the challenge.”

Big West Battles

Bakersfield hits the road to start the Big West portion of the schedule, Mar. 6-7, with a visit to Long Beach State. Cal State Bakersfield’s home, Big West series are listed below:

• CSUN, Mar. 13-14
• Cal Poly, Apr. 3-4
• Cal State Fullerton, Apr. 17-18
• UC Riverside, Apr. 25-26

Including the LBSU series, the `Runners will head out for five total road trips, in order: at LBSU, at UC Davis, at UC Santa Barbara, at Hawai’i, and at UC San Diego.

Tickets

Fans have the opportunity to see some of the best softball in the West played right here at the Roadrunner Softball Complex. More information about season tickets, as well as a promotional schedule that promises an entertaining experience for the whole family, will be released soon. Stay tuned to ensure you don’t miss out on your chance to root for the `Runners.

~GoRunners.com~