GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University softball team kicks off its 2026 campaign with a home doubleheader with Bluefield State (Feb. 4) before taking part in the second annual Big Region Preseason Invitational (Feb. 7-8) in Johnson City. South Atlantic Conference action begins on March 10 against Coker in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Going into her 14th year as the Pioneer head coach, Julie Huebner has the 350-win milestone within her grasp. Currently at 335 victories, the second-winningest mentor in program history has a roster built of 13 returners, eight freshmen, and four transfers.
The South Atlantic Conference Tournament will remain the same in 2026. The event will be played over two weekends (May 1-3, 7-9), with the top eight seeds qualifying for the postseason event. The top four teams will host the bottom four teams over the first weekend, with the highest remaining seed playing host to the remaining teams for the second weekend, all in a double-elimination format.
LOOKING AHEAD
The TU season begins at home on February 4 against Bluefield State. The Pioneers also opened 2025 at home against the Big Blue, shutting them out in both contests. Tusculum has won all four meetings over the West Virginia team, with three coming by run-rule. BSU went 14-30 overall last season, including 6-10 in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
For the second-straight season, the Pioneers will participate in the two-day Big Region Preseason Invitational. King is the hosting team, with the event taking place at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City from February 7-8. Tusculum is scheduled to face the hosting Tornado, Converse, Glenville State, and Davis & Elkins.
King went 28-23 overall and 15-9 in Conference Carolinas action in 2025. Tusculum won all three meetings last season to bring the all-time series to 43-13 in the Pioneers' favor. The Tornado advanced to the league's tournament as the seventh seed, but were upset in the opener.
Tusculum is a perfect 13-0 against Converse, including a run-rule victory in last year's Invitational. The Valkyries entered the Conference Carolinas Tournament as the No. 11 seed and lost in the play-in game to finish 19-30 (11-13 CC).
Glenville State comes out of the Mountain East, going 36-17 (22-8 MEC) last season. The GSU Pioneers were seeded as the top team in the South bracket but were eliminated by the eventual champion on day three in the semifinals. Tusculum holds a 5-1 lead in the series over Glenville State, but the teams have not seen one another since 2018.
Tusculum also holds a 5-1 mark against Davis & Elkins in the limited meetings between 2019-23. The Senators went 28-28 (20-10 MEC) and entered the league tournament as the No. 3 seed in the South bracket, falling out on day two of the event.
STREAMING
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through www.TusculumPioneers.com.
By following this link (flosports.tv/SAC), SAC fans can sign up for an annual subscription to FloSports at a reduced rate. Also, anyone who subscribes to the video service using a SAC member or associate member institution domain (.edu) e-mail address will be eligible for an even greater discount.
MEET THE TEAM
For the 46th team in recorded history, the Pioneers have 25 players rostered. Picked to finish fifth in the league, Tusculum had five student-athletes honored with three to the preseason first team (Brooke Smith, Ellie Alvarez, and Abby Hunter), while Sammy Jimenez and Catherine O'Donohue were listed as players to watch.
INFIELD
The Pioneers have six infielders listed on the roster, with five having at least one year of college ball under their belt.
Alvarez (Plano, Ill.) was named to the all-conference third team as a junior for Tusculum. She played in all 57 games (tied seventh for a TU season) at shortstop, all starts (tied sixth for a TU season), recording 74 hits (eighth for a TU season), 53 runs (10th for a TU season), 12 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 33 RBI, 14 walks, and 27 steals (tied seventh for a TU season) across 188 at bats (tied fourth for a TU season). Alvarez averaged .394 with a .442 OBP and .548 slugging percentage, while also accounting for 103 total bases, which is tied for seven for a TU season). She was credited with 84 putouts and 83 assists, while aiding in seven double plays. Alvarez had highs of six at bats (tied second for a TU single game), three runs (twice), five hits (tied program record), three triples (program record), nine total bases (tied seventh for a TU single game), three RBI (twice), three walks, three steals, five putouts (twice), six assists, and three double plays. In her two seasons since transferring to TU, she is third in on-base percentage (.441), fourth in slugging (.595), eighth in batting average (.393), tied 10th in stolen bases (40), tied 11th in sacrifice flies (5), and tied 14th in home runs (12).
Smith (Acworth, Ga.), the Pioneers' second baseman, earned national recognition for her work as a sophomore. She was named to the NFCA All-America third team at-large, along with two all-region second team selections. Smith played in all 57 games (tied seventh in a TU season), all starts (tied sixth in a TU season), while recording 85 hits (tied second in a TU season; ninth nationally), 60 runs (third in a TU season; 19th nationally), eight doubles, three triples, 28 RBI, 14 walks, and 30 steals (fourth in a TU season) in 187 at bats (sixth in a TU season). She averaged .455 (fifth in a TU season; 14th nationally) with a .512 OBP (fourth in a TU season) and .529 slugging percentage, adding eight hit by pitches (tied seventh in a TU season) and 11 sacrifice bunts for 99 total bases. Defensively, Smith is credited with 125 putouts and 75 assists for a .952 fielding percentage, aiding in six double plays. She had game highs of six at bats (tied second-most in a TU game), three runs (six times), four hits (twice), four RBI, two walks, three steals (twice), three sacrifice bunts (tied TU single game record), five putouts (three times), five assists, and two double plays. Through just two seasons, Smith has made her mark in the Tusculum career records: second in batting average (.428), second in on-base percentage (.484), fourth in hit by pitches (18), eighth in stolen bases (43), 14th in runs (101), and tied for 19th in slugging percentage (.514).
Faith Gibbs (Collierville, Tenn.) was unable to play last season but will be in the mix at first base for her junior season.
Ella Majchrzak (Chapin, S.C.) played in 50 games as a freshman, primarily in right field or third base. She recorded 35 hits, 11 runs, six doubles, four home runs, 22 RBI, 11 walks, and one steal in 104 at bats. Majchrzak hit .337 with a .398 OBP and a .510 slugging percentage. She was credited with 15 putouts and nine assists for a .960 fielding percentage. Majchrzak had game highs of four at bats (five times), two runs, three hits, four RBI, two putouts (three times), and two assists (three times).
Hailey Nichols (Knoxville, Tenn.) played in 40 games as a freshman, primarily spending time at first base and as a pinch-runner/hitter. She recorded 13 hits, eight runs, two doubles, one home run, eight RBI, three walks, and four steals across 62 at bats. Defensively, Nichols was credited with 78 putouts and one assist for a .952 fielding percentage, while aiding in two double plays. She had game highs of five at bats, three hits, two doubles, four RBI, two steals, and seven putouts.
The lone infield newcomer is Kaylee Adkins. Adkins (Pierceton, Ind.) graduated from Whitko Jr/Sr High School, playing four years of varsity softball and three years of golf. As a junior, she was an honorable mention all-conference performer as a first baseman. Adkins was a two-time state all-star and won both the section and region championships in 2022. For her career as a Wildcat, she finished with a .315 average, 68 hits, 35 runs, 46 RBI, 25 doubles, one triple, and two home runs. Adkins also played for the Indiana Shockwaves. She totaled a .308 average, .388 OBP, .400 slugging percentage, 28 hits, three doubles, three triples, 16 RBI, 11 runs, and six steals across 49 games and 91 at bats.
OUTFIELD
The grass will be patrolled by a combination of at least seven Pioneers including Abby Hunter, MacKenzy Angle, Kylie Darrow, Lily Kate Cariaco, Abby Cruz, Andrea Davis, and Muriel Dillow.
Hunter (Clemmons, N.C.) was named to the all-conference second team as a sophomore. She played in all 57 games (tied seventh for a TU season) as the Pioneer centerfielder, all starts (tied sixth for a TU season), recording 51 hits, 26 runs, eight doubles, four triples, one home run, 32 RBI, 13 walks, and 11 steals across 150 at bats. Hunter averaged .340 with a .385 OBP and .467 slugging percentage, while adding one hit by pitch, five sacrifice flies (tied program record), and two sacrifice bunts. She was credited with 144 putouts and four outfield assists for a .987 fielding percentage. Hunter had game highs of five at bats, two runs (three times), three hits (three times), two doubles, four RBI, two walks, two steals (twice), and seven putouts (twice). For her career, she is tied for 11th in sacrifice flies (5), tied 12th in fielding percentage (.981), and is 17th in batting average (.330).
Angle (Indianapolis, Ind.) was unable to play in her first season at TU after transferring from Louisburg, but will look to make an impact in 2026.
Darrow (Jackson, Mo.) is going into her fourth year in the program. Last season, she played in 19 games, seeing time in right field. Darrow recorded eight hits, two doubles, one home run, two runs, seven RBI, one sacrifice bunt, and two steals in 38 at bats. She had game highs of six at bats, two hits (twice), two RBI (twice), and two putouts (four times).
Joining the three veterans are four freshmen fighting for playing time.
Cariaco (Marietta, Ga.) graduated from Pope High School, competing in both softball and track and field for three seasons. She was a softball all-region selection, while also qualifying for states in the 4x200 relay. Cariaco earned softball Breakout Player of the Year, JV Sprinter of the Year and Jumper of the Year. She holds the Pope 4x200 record. On the diamond, Cariaco advanced to the state playoffs every season, winning in 2023 with a 35-1 record, which earned the team a top national ranking by Extra Innings Softball. The following season, she finished as state runner-up. In the club realm, Cariaco played for Georgia Impact.
Cruz (Winston-Salem, N.C.) graduated from Oak Grove High School, winning conference championships from 2022-25 with the program. She was named to the 2025 Hitoms All-Star game, along with all-district and all-conference. Cruz hit .385 with a .515 on-base percentage in league contests, while totaling 17 runs, 22 hits, and 12 RBI with a perfect fielding percentage in 2 chances. In club, she played for Carolina Cardinals Premier.
Davis (Hiram, Ga.) graduated in the top-10 from East Paulding High School, earning letters in softball (4), tennis (4), flag football (4), and swimming (3). She was a three-time all-region selection with a first team honor as a senior. The team advanced to states all four years, highlighted by a top-eight finish in her final campaign.
Dillow (Abingdon, Va.) graduated from Abingdon High School, lettering four years in both softball and volleyball. She was named to three all-district and two all-region teams, alongside conference regular season and region championships in 2025. Dillow also played for Carolina Legacy.
CATCHER
Coach Huebner has three catchers rostered, including a pair of returnees and a sister duo.
Sammy Jimenez (Bartlett, Ill.) was named to the all-conference third team as a junior, playing in 55 games, primarily as the catcher. She recorded 52 hits, 47 runs (12th in a TU season), 12 doubles, one triple, six homers, 54 RBI (second in a TU season), 22 walks, and five steals across 154 at bats, while averaging .331 with a .412 OBP and .539 slugging percentage. Jimenez added two hit by pitches, four sacrifice flies (tied fourth in a TU season), and three sacrifice bunts. Defensively, she was credited with 203 putouts and 23 assists for a .987 fielding percentage, aiding in three double plays with seven runners caught stealing. Jimenez had game highs of five at bats, three runs (twice), three hits (twice), five RBI, three walks, two steals, 12 putouts, three assists (twice), and two double plays turned. For her career, she ranks third in home runs (26), sixth in slugging percentage (.585), tied seventh in sacrifice flies (6), eighth in RBI (136), eighth in walks (63), ninth in runs (112), 11th in on-base percentage (.405), and 12th in total bases (254).
Addison Hoffner (Lexington, S.C.) played in 29 games as a freshman, recording six hits, five runs, one double, two home runs, nine RBI, and three walks across 41 at bats. She also added three hit by pitches and one sacrifice fly. Defensively, Hoffner was credited with 24 putouts and one assist for a .962 fielding percentage. She had game highs of five at bats, three runs, three RBI, and nine putouts.
Adriana Jimenez (Bartlett, Ill.) joins older sister Sammy in the Pioneer uniform after spending the fall semester at Gaston College. The younger Jimenez graduated from South Elgin High School, cheering for four years and three years on the diamond. She was a conference champion every year in both sports, with two region titles in softball. Jimenez also won a sectional and state championship in cheerleading. She played for Northern Ice in club ball.
UTILITY
Five Pioneers have the ability to rotate between any position in the Tusculum lineup, ranging from experience in the infield, outfield, designated player, and the pitching circle.
Katie Jones (Greenback, Tenn.) played in 29 games as a freshman at Tusculum and was primarily used as a pinch runner. She scored 10 runs and stole three bases.
Taylor Hancock (Athens, Tenn.) joins the Pioneers after two years and 73 games at Cleveland State. Listed as a catcher/utility, she totaled 58 hits, 37 runs, 33 RBI, 11 walks, nine doubles, eight steals, and nine home runs across 206 at bats. Hancock averaged .282 with a .320 OBP and a .456 slugging percentage at the plate, adding two hit by pitches and three sacrifice flies. She was credited with 313 putouts and 29 assists for a .997 fielding percentage. Hancock had game highs of four at bats (18 times), three hits, three RBI (twice), three runs, 11 putouts, and three assists.
Catherine O'Donohue (Pinckney, Mich.) comes to the Pioneers after spending three seasons at Ferris State as a pitcher/first baseman. In the circle, she appeared in 64 games (35 starts), collecting an 18-16 record with four saves. O'Donohue notched 11 complete games across 236.2 innings with 169 strikeouts on a 3.14 earned run average. Defensively, she has a .987 fielding percentage in 78 chances across 103 games. At the plate, O'Donohue totaled 30 runs, 64 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 34 RBI, 13 walks, and six stolen bases for a .294/.336/.404 slashline in 218 at bats. She had highs of five at bats (twice), two runs (four times), three hits (three times), four RBI, 8.1 innings pitched, and nine strikeouts (pitching) for the Bulldogs.
Ava Hallows and Izzy Wilson are the two versatile freshmen for Tusculum.
Hallows (Waynesville, Ohio) graduated from Waynesville High School as a third baseman/utility. She lettered four seasons in softball and once in tennis. Hallows earned all-conference honors each year, including three at first team. She was a four-time defensive player of the year, reaching district finals twice and semifinals twice. Hallows hit .488 with 13 home runs and a .600 on-base percentage to collect district honorable mention as a senior. For her career, she averaged .440 with 25 homers and a .505 OBP. In club, Hallows competed for Ohio Hawks.
Wilson (Lebanon, Tenn.) is listed as a pitcher/utility, graduating from Friendship Christian School. Her accolades improved each year, ranging from MVP and all-tournament to all-district and all-state to region MVP and co-Pitcher of the Year.
PITCHERS
Huebner's team has a veteran presence in the circle, with three throwers having at least two years of collegiate experience. Dani Beckham and Natalie Spaitis both return for the Pioneers, while Chelsey Stonesifer transferred to TU after the closure of Limestone.
Beckham (Valdosta, Ga.) made 23 appearances in her first season in Greeneville, with four starts, after two years at Division I Iona. She went 6-2 with one save in 46.1 innings, striking out 17. Defensively, Beckham had one putout and eight assists in the field. She had game highs of 4.1 innings (twice) and four strikeouts.
Spaitis (Schaumburg, Ill.) appeared in 34 games (tied seventh-most in a TU season) with 11 starts as a sophomore. She went 8-5 with five saves, which is a Tusculum single-season record and ranked 12th nationally. Spaitis toss two complete games across 101.2 innings with one shutout and 61 strikeouts. She was credited with two putouts and 10 assists for a perfect fielding percentage, while also aiding in two double plays from the circle. Spaitis had game highs of seven innings, eight strikeouts, and two assists. She is tied for the Tusculum career record with nine saves.
Stonesifer (Littlestown, Pa.) was a former foe of the Pioneers at fellow conference school Limestone until the unfortunate shuttering of the institution. She pitched two seasons for the Saints, appearing in 47 games with 39 starts, going 21-14 with 26 complete games. Stonesifer racked up 235.2 innings with 179 strikeouts on a 3.39 ERA. She had game highs of 7.0 innings (16 times) and 11 strikeouts. Stonesifer earned two conference pitcher of the week honors in 2024, along with team MVP laurels.
Aleyia Satterfield (Maynardville, Tenn.) is the lone freshman in the Tusculum circle after graduating from Union County High School. She made her mark in the district with all-freshman team, all-tournament team, 2023 defensive player of the year, and back-to-back all-district honors. She also played for the Tennessee Heat in club.
