LA MIRADA---The Biola softball team will begin the 2026 season in two days against San Francisco State at the Concordia Kickoff Classic. 

The Eagles, led by fifth-year head coach Kristin Halte, have 50 games slated on their 2026 schedule, 36 of which are PacWest Conference competitions. The Eagles have three teams on their schedule who were ranked in the preseason NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, including No. 14 Cal State San Marcos, No. 17 Cal State East Bay and receiving votes Concordia. Biola is also set to host the 2026 PacWest Softball Championships in May. 

Biola, the reigning PacWest Conference regular season Champions, was voted to finish second in the PacWest's Preseason Poll with 94 points and four first place votes. CUI was selected as 2026's conference favorite with 96 points and six first place votes.

Biola returns 13 players to its 2026 roster, including seven starters: Jackie Ibarra, Kendall Nakano, Alexa Medley Sheard, DJ Symons, Mikala Huskey, Kennadie Tsue and Leilani Salgado. 

Biola placed a conference-best six athletes—Medley Sheard, Ibarra, Nakano, Symons, Huskey and Tsue—on the PacWest 2026 Watchlist.

The Eagles welcomed eight newcomers to their 2026 squad, six freshmen and two transfers. BU's freshman class includes: Izabella Larson, Madison Duncan, Grace Harrison, Natalie Kim, Lizzie Byer and Lily Rodriguez. Lillianna Garcia (Cal State Dominguez Hills) and Reyna Hernandez (Orange Coast College) are Biola's two transfers.