GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team is set for its third weekend of the season, hosting its second tournament with the UNCG Invitational from Feb. 20-22 at UNCG Softball Stadium.
 
The Spartans will welcome three different opponents this weekend during the tournament, including Bucknell, Canisius and Kent State.
 

Click here for information about the UNCG Invitational
Date	Feb. 20-22, 2026
Location	Greensboro, N.C. (UNCG Softball Stadium)
Tickets	FREE ADMISSION
Concessions	Concessions will not be open, and outside food is permitted.
Pets	Only service animals are allowed at the UNCG Softball Stadium.
Coverage	Live Stats: Click the UNCG Tournament Central for all live stat links Games will not be streamed
Social Media	X: @uncgsoftball  Instagram: @uncgsb Facebook: UNCGSoftball

 
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS

• UNCG, in its home opening tournament last weekend, went 4-1.
• The Spartans had victories over Columbia (8-3), Fairfield (6-0), App State (6-3 in 9 inn.) and Fairfield (11-0 in 5 inn.).
• Kaylyn Belfield paced the Spartans last weekend, swinging 11-for-20 (.550) at the plate. She tallied seven runs, one double, one walk and two RBI in five games played.
• Laney Deane recorded three home runs last weekend batting .333 in five games played, while Nya South and Macy Michael each had two home runs during the weekend.
• Deane also paced the team with 10 RBI over the five games.
• In the circle, Brooklyn Shroyer went 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 17.2 innings tossed, striking out 23 batters and keeping them to a .194 hitting clip.

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.
• Belfield and Michael were voted to the Preseason All-SoCon First Team. Senior Salem Ward, juniors Samantha Beck and Betsy Eatmon and sophomore Hadley Gardner all earned Preseason All-SoCon Second Team recognition.
• 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 10^th year with 30-plus wins under the direction of Head Coach Janelle Breneman, who is now in her 14^th season at the helm.
• Among the SoCon, UNCG is leading the conference in ERA (2.03), hit by pitch (10) and WHIP (1.31).
• Belfield is leading the SoCon and is 32^nd nationally with 17 total hits.
• Shroyer is pacing the conference in innings pitched (32.1), pitching appearances (8) and strikeouts (38). Her 38 strikeouts are 14^th in the nation.

 
RUNDOWN ON BUCKNELL

• Bucknell is coming to Greensboro with a 1-4 overall record after playing in the East Texas A&M Leadoff in Commerce, Texas.
• The Bison defeated St. Bonaventure, 7-3, for their first victory of the season.
• Skye Perez is currently leading the Bison with a .462 batting average after going 6-for-13 in their opening weekend.
• Meadow Gambacurta and Marissa Rapino are second on the team with their .429 hitting clips.
• In the circle, Avery Powers has tossed 14.0 innings with one complete game in three appearances of work. She has a 3.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts, while keeping hitters to a .281 batting average.
• Bucknell was voted to finish fourth in the 2026 Patriot League Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• Brooke Popella was voted to the 2026 Patriot League Preseason All-League Team.
• Bucknell concluded the 2025 season 18-30 overall and 8-10 in the Patriot League.
• Head Coach Angela Stackhouse '04 is in the first year at the helm of the program.

RUNDOWN ON CANISIUS

• The Golden Griffins are coming into Greensboro with a 3-1 overall record, defeating Middle Tennessee, Bellarmine and Chattanooga.
• Canisius was voted to finish eighth in the 2026 MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Ella Johel was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.
• Johel was named to the 2025 All-MAAC First Team and garnered NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team honors.
• Canisius concluded the 2025 season with a 26-26 overall record and 15-10 mark in the MAAC.
• Johel is currently pacing the team with a .500 batting average, swinging 5-for-10 with six runs scored, one home run and two RBI.
• In the circle, Olivia Manchester has tossed 11.0 innings for the Griffs, giving up eight hits with nine strikeouts and two wins in two appearances.

RUNDOWN ON KENT STATE

• The Golden Flashes are 5-4 overall coming into the weekend in Greensboro after playing in the Terrier Invite, hosted by Wofford, and the Winthrop Garnet & Gold Tournament, hosted by Winthrop.
• Kent State was voted to finish last in the 19-team MAC.
• The Golden Flashes concluded the 2025 season 12-39 overall and 4-22 in the MAC.
• Ashlyn Porter is pacing the team with a .448 hitting clip, scoring eight runs, tallying three doubles and recording four RBI.
• Brynn Libler is second on the team with her .439 batting average.
• Caleigh Shaulis has hit four home runs and has totaled 10 RBI in nine games played for the Golden Flashes.
• In 33.1 innings thrown, Riley Miller is 4-1 in the circle in eight appearances with three complete games and 11 strikeouts.

UP NEXT
UNCG will travel to compete against in-state foe Queens on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at The Stick Williams Dream Field in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 5:00 p.m.

They will then host the UNCG/Elon Tournament from Feb. 27-March 1.

Click here for the UNCG/Elon Tournament schedule