The Big 12 Era Begins: A Deep Dive Into The Arizona State Softball 2026 Schedule And Key Matchups

The Arizona State Sun Devils Softball program is gearing up for a monumental 2026 season, marking a historic transition into the Big 12 Conference. This upcoming campaign, which begins in early 2026, is packed with high-stakes matchups, marquee tournaments, and a massive 25-game homestand that will test the squad’s mettle right out of the gate at Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium. Fans should prepare for a completely new landscape of opponents as the Sun Devils trade their Pac-12 rivals for the powerhouse programs of the Big 12, signaling a fresh start and a renewed drive for a Women's College World Series appearance.

The 2026 schedule is not just a list of games; it is a statement. After a challenging 2024 season that saw the team win only 20 games, the fewest since 1975, Head Coach Megan Bartlett and her staff have strategically built a slate designed to challenge and elevate the team. The move to the Big 12 Conference injects new life and a higher level of competition into the program, promising an unforgettable year for the Maroon and Gold faithful.

ASU Sun Devils Softball 2026 Roster and Coaching Staff

The success of the 2026 season will hinge on the performance of a mix of returning talent and a highly-touted signing class. Head Coach Megan Bartlett, who has been instrumental in navigating the team’s conference transition, will be leading the charge. The roster features several key players expected to make a significant impact, both offensively and in the circle, as the team adjusts to the rigors of the Big 12 schedule.

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• Head Coach: Megan Bartlett
• Key Returners/Roster Entities:
  • Nehanda Lewis (#0)
  • Avery Motroni (#1)
  • Aissa Silva (#3)
  • JazMarie Roberts (#4)
  • Kenzie Brown (#10)
  • Meika Lauppe
• 2026 Signing Class (Future Sun Devils):
  • Addison Burdorf
  • Alyssa Torres
  • Riese Flood
  • Rowan Asanovich
  • Sienna Yamashita
  • Sofia Hernandez
  • Taylor Dolecki

This blend of veteran leadership and fresh, young talent is exactly what the Sun Devils need to compete in their new conference. The incoming class, which includes players like Riese Flood and Taylor Dolecki, is expected to provide depth and a strong foundation for the future of the program in the Big 12.

The Monster Homestand: Non-Conference Tournaments and Marquee Matchups

The 2026 campaign kicks off with an unprecedented 25 consecutive home games at the iconic Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. This lengthy homestand is anchored by two major early-season tournaments that draw top-tier competition from across the nation, providing a crucial early test for the Sun Devils.

The Kajikawa Classic

As the traditional season-opener, the Kajikawa Classic is always a must-see event. In 2026, the tournament will feature a stacked field, setting the stage for high-profile matchups. Early reports indicate a significant showdown against the Oklahoma Sooners, a perennial national powerhouse. Facing a team of Oklahoma’s caliber early in the season will immediately measure ASU's readiness for the Big 12's elite competition.

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The Littlewood Classic

Co-hosted with Grand Canyon University (GCU), the Littlewood Classic continues the challenging non-conference slate. The Sun Devils will host and compete against several strong programs, including Indiana and Nevada, among others. This tournament, often featuring multiple ranked opponents, is a final tune-up before the start of the rigorous conference schedule. The intense schedule is designed to give the team a massive advantage by playing in the familiar, hot climate of Tempe.

The homestand is briefly broken up by a road trip to El Paso, Texas, to play UTEP on Tuesday, March 10, and a final non-conference road game against Grand Canyon on Tuesday, April 14, providing a few key opportunities for the team to experience a road environment before the bulk of the Big 12 travel begins.

The Historic Big 12 Conference Schedule: Key Series to Watch

The biggest story of the 2026 season is Arizona State's official entry into the Big 12 Conference, leaving behind the Pac-12. This move brings a fresh set of rivals and a new path to the Women's College World Series (WCWS). The Big 12 Conference schedule is a relentless gauntlet of three-game series, and the Sun Devils have several critical matchups circled on their calendar.

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The conference schedule is structured to maximize competition and regional rivalries. Here are the key Big 12 series for the 2026 ASU Softball season:

Home Big 12 Series at Farrington Stadium

• March 6–8: vs. Utah Utes

  A familiar foe from the old Pac-12, the Utah series will be a crucial early-season conference test and a chance to establish dominance over a former rival in the new Big 12 setting.

• March 13–15: vs. Oklahoma State Cowgirls

  The Cowgirls are a consistent national contender and represent the elite level of competition ASU will face weekly. This series is a must-watch for fans to gauge the Sun Devils’ standing in the new league.

• March 20–22: vs. Arizona Wildcats (The Territorial Cup Series)

  The Territorial Cup rivalry game remains the most important series of the year. While the conference changes, the intensity of the ASU vs. Arizona matchup will only increase as both teams battle for state supremacy and a foothold in the Big 12. This home series will be a sellout event.

Big 12 Road Series

The road schedule for the Sun Devils will be just as demanding, requiring the team to travel to new and challenging venues across the Big 12 footprint. Key road opponents will include other newcomers and established Big 12 programs. The full conference schedule features a rotating slate of opponents, ensuring ASU faces a diverse and formidable set of teams throughout the spring.

The Big 12 Conference has quickly established itself as one of the premier softball leagues in the nation, and every weekend series will carry significant weight for NCAA Tournament seeding. The new conference landscape means the Sun Devils will be fighting for every win against programs like Texas, Baylor, and UCF, all of which are expected to be major competitors in the 2026 season.

The Road to Oklahoma City: NCAA Tournament Aspirations

The ultimate goal for Coach Bartlett and the Sun Devils is a trip to the Women's College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City. The 2026 schedule is meticulously crafted to prepare the team for this challenge. By facing top-ranked teams like Oklahoma and Oklahoma State early, the Sun Devils will build a strong RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), which is vital for securing a national seed and hosting an NCAA Regional.

The move to the Big 12 ensures that Arizona State will consistently play a top-5 strength of schedule, which will benefit them come selection time. Fans can expect an exciting, high-stakes season that will define the future of Sun Devil Softball. Every pitch, from the Kajikawa Classic to the final Big 12 series, will be a critical step on the team's journey to restore its legacy as a national softball power.