GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team is set for its 2026 home opener, hosting the Spiro Classic from Thursday to Sunday in Greensboro, North Carolina, at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
The Spartans will welcome three different opponents this weekend during the tournament, including Fairfield, Appalachian State and Columbia.
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Greensboro, N.C. (UNCG Softball Stadium)
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Concessions will not be open, and outside food is permitted.
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Only service animals are allowed at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
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Live Stats: Click the Spiro Classic Tournament Central for all live stat links
Games will not be streamed
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LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS
- UNCG began the 2026 season by going 1-4 at the Bash at the Boro last weekend in Statesboro, Georgia, hosted by Georgia Southern.
- Kaylyn Belfield paced the Spartans last weekend, swinging 6-for-18 (.333) at the plate. She tallied one run with two RBI.
- In the circle, Brooklyn Shroyer tossed 14.2 innings, giving up 12 hits, six runs, four earned runs with 15 strikeouts for a 1.91 ERA, keeping batters at a .214 batting average.
RUNDOWN ON THE SPARTANS
- UNCG was voted as the favorite in The Southern Conference (SoCon) Preseason Coaches' Poll ahead of the 2026 season. The Spartans earned four first-place votes with 43 points.
- The 2026 roster includes 12 returners, seven freshmen and two transfers. Of the 12 returners, five started in 40 or more games last season.
- The Spartans return Belfield, who led the Spartans with a UNCG single season batting average record of .431.
- The Blue & Gold also have Gardner returning, who was one of three Spartans last season to hit 10 or more homers, placing her second on the team with 11 home runs.
- Michael is the leading returner in RBI and walks, tallying 36 and 23, respectively during her freshman season.
- UNCG concluded the 2025 season with a 39-18 overall record and a 14-6 SoCon mark.
- This was the seventh-straight season and 10th year with 30-plus wins under the direction of Head Coach Janelle Breneman, who is now in her 14th season at the helm.
RUNDOWN ON FAIRFIELD
- Fairfield is coming to Greensboro with a 2-2 overall record after playing in the University of Houston Tournament.
- The Stags defeated Houston Christian with scores of 11-0 and 13-6 for their first two wins of the season.
- Fairfield was voted to finish second in the 2026 MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Pitcher Alyssa Weinberg was named to the All-MAAC Preseason Team after winning 18 games in 2025 and striking out 190 batters in 180 innings pitched.
- Sarah Bielski and Sammie Dougherty are pacing the Stags with their 7-for-14 and 4-for-8 (.500) batting average, respectively, this season.
- Quinn McGonigle is leading the team this season with five RBI.
- The Stags are 8-for-9 in stolen bases as a team.
- So far this season, Peyton Shields has tossed 9.0 innings with two appearances, while Weinberg has thrown six innings in two appearances with 11 strikeouts.
- Fairfield concluded the 2025 season 26-26 overall and 18-7 in the MAAC.
RUNDOWN ON COLUMBIA
- The Lions were picked to finish third in the 2026 Ivy League after a 24-18 overall record and 15-6 conference mark in 2025.
- Columbia returns 14 letter winners including six starters and four pitchers.
- Last year's squad finished with the best winning percentage in program history.
- At the dish, the Lions bring back 62 percent of their home run production and 61 percent of their RBI production from last year's lineup.
- Columbia added four newcomers to the roster this offseason.
RUNDOWN ON APP STATE
- The Mountaineers come to Greensboro after going 4-0 in their opening weekend of play last week at the UNCW Tournament in Wilmington, North Carolina.
- App State defeated Kennesaw State (5-3), UNCW (4-3, 15-9) and George Washington (11-0).
- Dakota Daniel led the team with seven hits and one triple on the week.
- Grace Barrett paces the squad with seven total runs in the four games this season.
- Makayla McClain and Emilie Ching recorded two homers apiece.
- Camryn Fisher led the Mountaineers in the circle with 11 strikeouts in her 13.2 innings pitched.
- The Mountaineers concluded the 2025 season 23-27 overall and 12-11 in the Sun Belt Conference.
- App State was picked to finish sixth in the 2026 Sun Belt Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- McClain and Barrett were selected to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
UP NEXT
UNCG will host Bucknell, Canisius and Kent State for the UNCG Invitational, scheduled for Feb. 20-22 at UNCG Softball Stadium.
