UNC Softball 2025-2026

[3397char]

Softball on SI picks UNC as their D1 "breakout team" this year:

Softball On SI Reveals 2026 Breakout Team Predictions

The 2026 collegiate softball season is right around the corner, and the staff at Softball On SI is ready to make a few predictions.

www.si.com

One pundit says we will host a regional, a second says we will win a regional and make it to the supers?

 

[3397char]

UNC picked 7th in the ACC by the coaches:
2026 ACC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Florida State, 179 (12)
2. Clemson, 173 (1)
3. Stanford, 170 (2)
4. Virginia Tech, 160
5. Duke, 151
6. Virginia, 133
7. North Carolina, 120
8. Georgia Tech, 101
9. California, 88
10. Louisville, 83
11. Notre Dame, 66
12. NC State, 59
13. Pitt, 37
14. Syracuse, 36
15. Boston College, 19
(first-place votes)

Sanaa Thompson earns a pre-season All-ACC nod.

ACC Unveils 2026 Preseason Softball Awards

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) - Florida State has been voted the preseason favorite to win the 2026 ACC softball title by the league’s 15 head coaches, the conference announced on Thursday.

theacc.com

 

[bradarb08]

I would say that's fair. A lot of new faces... I think our ceiling is probably 4 or 5 given the strength of the league.

Our out of conference schedule is WEAK. Apart from South Carolina, we won't face a ranked team... Arizona State historically is good, but not recently after Trisha Ford left for Texas A&M. But our conference slate is ridiculous. We play Florida State (No. 1), Stanford (No. 3), Virginia Tech (No. 4), Duke (No. 5), Virginia (No. 6), California (No. 9), NC State (No. 12), and Boston College (No. 15). Missed out on only Clemson (No. 2) for opponents in the top half of the league. We don't play FIVE of the opponents slated in the bottom half of the league.

 

[3397char]

I would say that's fair. A lot of new faces... I think our ceiling is probably 4 or 5 given the strength of the league.

Our out of conference schedule is WEAK. Apart from South Carolina, we won't face a ranked team... Arizona State historically is good, but not recently after Trisha Ford left for Texas A&M. But our conference slate is ridiculous. We play Florida State (No. 1), Stanford (No. 3), Virginia Tech (No. 4), Duke (No. 5), Virginia (No. 6), California (No. 9), NC State (No. 12), and Boston College (No. 15). Missed out on only Clemson (No. 2) for opponents in the top half of the league. We don't play FIVE of the opponents slated in the bottom half of the league.

Wow, given that schedule an ACC finish higher than 7th would actually be pretty impressive

 

[volleyballer1]

Thie team goes as far as the bullpen goes. I am confident we do not have to rely soley on KRD this year. Maxton and Parrish I expect to be big contributors in the circle.

 

[TommyAshley]

Getting some time w Coach Smith Lyon tomorrow if yall have any questions for her.

Will post asap

 

[3397char]

Ask her what she anticipates the pitching rotation to look like this season. How many slippers are in the hitting rotation versus women hitting for power?

 

[NYHeel92]

Above in the thread someone went through how our ACC schedule is really imbalanced toward the top-tier teams. Could be interesting to ask about that.

 

[bradarb08]

Above in the thread someone went through how our ACC schedule is really imbalanced toward the top-tier teams. Could be interesting to ask about that.

Going off that... would love to know about the intention behind the out of conference schedule being a bit weaker... and what her approach is to navigating that while preparing the team for a gauntlet of a conference schedule. I'm sure there is a method to it I just would love to hear it.

 

[TommyAshley]

Pushed to Wednesday so keep them coming and I'll ask as many as possible!

 

[Jriv23]

I would like you to ask her. How are the transfers doing as far in practice? Which ones does she feel will make an impact this season? How are the freshmen doing as far as practice is concern? Which Freshmen does she feel will be able to make an impact for the team this year? Thanks for doing this Tommy.

 

[bradarb08]

Ask her what she anticipates the pitching rotation to look like this season. How many slippers are in the hitting rotation versus women hitting for power?

This! The pitching rotation! We have so many pitchers this year. I'd love to know if she's planning to do a similar thing as college baseball pitchers, where you have a Friday starter, Saturday starter, and Sunday starter, plus midweek arms. Last year it was Friday and Saturday and then varied on Sunday with the previous two.

Friday: KRD, Saturday: Maxton, Sunday: Frost or Parrish? And because softball pitching is less wear and tear on the arm, they are all available out of the bullpen the days they aren't starting... plus you've got two or three FR pitchers, too, that can come out of the pen and midweek. Or does she see one of these pitchers as kind of a "closer"?

 

[Jriv23]

That is a good question about the pitching rotation. We have enough pitchers both veterans and freshmen to do a rotation that was suggested by bradarb08. I cannot wait to see the responses about the pitching situation. Go Heels!

 

[TommyAshley]

UNC Softball Preview: Building a Winning Culture

UNC softball opens the 2026 season looking to build on last year’s 40-win campaign under third-year coach Megan Smith Lyon.

www.on3.com

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks, Tommy for doing the interview and for having this posted so that we can see and hear this. Go Heels!

 

[HONKYTONKTARASSOCIATION]

Only 4-1 ? Graceless would say the coach need to be fired

 

[Jriv23]

This team is relatively new. They have a lot of transfers and freshmen. They are still learning and adjusting to how each of them play. It is going to take some time. The main thing is they did win. Megan and staff are figuring things out. Good gracious, it is only their first game.

 

[unc80]

13-0 over Elon, B2nd. Heels have 3 HR's so far.

 

[Jriv23]

Fantastic showing by our softball players. As they continue to play these players are going to get better each game that they play and they continue to develop chemistry, etc.

 

[HONKYTONKTARASSOCIATION]

It was 2 degrees warmer today. I’s so glad the girls was able to get the game in. This a real tough team

 

[TAHeel]

8-2 win over a top 50 RPI team last year

 

[3397char]

Barbee basically named the 3B of the week:

 

[bradarb08]

And followed it up with a two-run bomb and an RBI double last night. She and VT transfer Emily LeGette are hitting .636 so far this in this young season. State transfer Michele Tarpey is hitting .556.

 

[JOB1937]

Anyone have any idea who the PXP announcer was for yesterday’s game? I only watched posted highlights but you could barely hear her and she made multiple egregious mistakes (called a homer to right field a homer to left field, called a ground hit up the middle a shot to deep left field, etc.).

 

[unc80]

The women are already opening eyes. Great start to the season!

 

[bradarb08]

Anyone have any idea who the PXP announcer was for yesterday’s game? I only watched posted highlights but you could barely hear her and she made multiple egregious mistakes (called a homer to right field a homer to left field, called a ground hit up the middle a shot to deep left field, etc.).

I assumed it was a student based on the quality of the pxp. It was not good. At one point one of our hitters hit a ball foul and she said the batter was out. I hate to be critical of a student learning, but you'd hope they have knowledge of the game. Honestly, when situations like this arise, just using the PA feed would have been an acceptable alternative.

 

[volleyballer1]

I hate to agree....the announcer obviously was a media student and not knowledgable of the sport. In this business, you put o a play by play that knows the game.

the camera angle was horrendous. I hate the view from the infield in. You can see nothing. I much more like the view from behind home plate where you can see the field.

Maxton looks really good.....KRD has always struggled with walks and giving up home runs. Hopefully she will settle in. Surprised we have not seen more of Frost and Parrish

Barbee looks like the UVA Barbee. She had a down year last year. She is in top form and producing.

 

[bradarb08]

I would say that's fair. A lot of new faces... I think our ceiling is probably 4 or 5 given the strength of the league.

Our out of conference schedule is WEAK. Apart from South Carolina, we won't face a ranked team... Arizona State historically is good, but not recently after Trisha Ford left for Texas A&M. But our conference slate is ridiculous. We play Florida State (No. 1), Stanford (No. 3), Virginia Tech (No. 4), Duke (No. 5), Virginia (No. 6), California (No. 9), NC State (No. 12), and Boston College (No. 15). Missed out on only Clemson (No. 2) for opponents in the top half of the league. We don't play FIVE of the opponents slated in the bottom half of the league.

Arizona State is now ranked. So we may have a good ranked opportunity at home soon.

 

[bradarb08]

8-2 win over a top 50 RPI team last year

And Coastal just upset No. 15 Arizona 6-2

 

[HONKYTONKTARASSOCIATION]

not tryna be overly critical but Heels in a real close one with Monmouth rn

 

[unc80]

We're gonna have to start talking more about this softball team.

 

[unc80]

Followed up that 24-0 win with a 20-0 win.

 

[HONKYTONKTARASSOCIATION]

not tryna be overly critical but they let up a little in that second one

 

[unc80]

not tryna be overly critical but they let up a little in that second one

Lots of running. Got tired.

 

[Jriv23]

Also, they have been playing 2 to 3 games per day. They did blow both teams out; therefore, I do not see what the problem is about them letting up They were showing respect for the other team since they were beating 20 to zero.

 

[TAHeel]

In extras trying to keep the 12-0 start rolling against App State

 

[bradarb08]

Emily. LeGette. Good gracious. What a transfer pickup.

 

[minas823]

Parrish’s change to her pitching motion in the off season has benefited her. I like when pitchers hide the ball, I think it’s a big advantage.

Is southpaw Harris injured?

 

[unc80]

Legette is a monster.

 

[unc80]

There was a noisy contingent of Neers behind home plate. Love walking those clowns off.