CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi College softball opens the 2026 season this weekend in Texas, continuing a standard that has become familiar for one of the Gulf South Conference's most consistent programs in recent years.
The Choctaws begin the season Friday, Jan. 30, with a pair of games against Texas A&M International (11 a.m. CT) and St. Mary's University (Texas) (1:30 p.m.). Saturday features matchups against No. 13 Angelo State (11 a.m.) and reigning national champion and top-ranked UT Tyler (1:30 p.m.), before MC closes the weekend Sunday against Southeastern Oklahoma State (10 a.m.) and Texas A&M International (12:30 p.m.).
Mississippi College enters the season coming off a 36-19 record in 2025, a 22-11 finish in GSC play, and a third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance.
The Choctaws return the core of a lineup that earned regional and national recognition a season ago. Senior Madelyn England brings veteran power after earning First Team All-GSC, First Team NFCA All-South Region, and First Team D2CCA All-South Region honors in 2025. England started all 52 games, batting .353 with 15 doubles, a team-leading eight home runs, and 36 RBIs while posting a .979 OPS.
Sophomore Blakely Gill returns after one of the most decorated freshman seasons in program history. The GSC Co-Freshman of the Year earned First Team All-GSC and First Team NFCA All-South Region recognition after starting all 55 games and hitting .395 with 70 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, five home runs, and 40 RBIs.
Senior Shelby Samples continues to set the tone at the top of the order after a standout 2025 campaign. The First Team All-GSC and Second Team NFCA All-South Region selection hit .407 with 72 hits and 19 stolen bases while reaching base at a .450 clip.
In the circle, senior Camryn Bailey anchors the pitching staff as a four-year starter and one of the conference's most dependable arms. Bailey earned Second Team All-GSC honors last season after going 14-7 with a 2.19 ERA across 128.0 innings, striking out 134 batters and holding opponents to a .217 average.
Mississippi College was picked third in the 2026 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches Poll and placed four student-athletes on the Preseason All-GSC Team: Gill, Samples, England, and Bailey.
The opening weekend places the Choctaws alongside some of the nation's top programs. UT Tyler enters the season ranked No. 1 nationally after a 62-5 campaign and back-to-back national championships, while No. 13 Angelo State finished 47-14 in 2025. The field also includes Texas A&M International (24-31), St. Mary's (26-29), and Southeastern Oklahoma State (26-27), creating a nationally relevant opening weekend.
All games will be played in Conroe, Texas, with times listed in Central Time.
Mississippi College opens Gulf South Conference play Feb. 20–22, with the 2026 GSC Softball Championship scheduled for May 6–9 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. Fans can watch all Mississippi College home games and GSC contests throughout the season on FloCollege and the FloSports app.
