With last season's perfect 48-0 record and 11^th NWAC Championship in program history now in the rear-view mirror, Red Devil Softball is back on the turf and preparing for the 2026 season. Workouts and team activities began on September 4.
 
Lower Columbia opens fall scrimmage play on Saturday. Entire fall schedule:

• Saturday, Sept. 27 at St. Martin's University (Lacey, WA) – 11:00 am
• Saturday, Sept. 27 vs Yakima Valley College at St. Martin's – 1:30 pm
• Sunday, October 5 at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, WA) – 9:30 am
• Sunday, October 5 vs. Edmonds College at PLU – 11:45 am
• Sunday, October 12 at Bellevue College – 10-inning game or DH at 10:30 am
• Sunday, October 19 at home vs Eastern Oregon University – DH at 10:00 am

 
The cupboard is certainly not bare for Head Coach Traci Fuller (15^th season), as all 10 freshmen from the '25 title team return, including the entire pitching staff of Ava Eib, Cerenity Fake, Zoey Hughes and Jadyn Terry. That group combined to post a conference leading 2.05 earned run average, was tops with 393 strikeouts and allowed the second-fewest walks (99). 
 
"Pitching is always a key, and having four pitchers back who threw every inning last season is huge," Coach Fuller said.
 
Top offensive returners include infielder Gabi Silveria (.438, 11 HR, 53 RBI) and catcher/infielder Shaz Ancheta (.447, 8 HR, 46 RBI. Outfielders Dani Ambriz, Rylee Brown, Emma Langsi and Lily Mattison are also back. All four have plus-speed and are outstanding defensively.
 
Nine freshmen, all from the state of Washington, join the roster and will get their first collegiate action in Lacey on Saturday. They include:

• Megan Dille - outfielder, Ilwaco HS
• Avery Garvey - pitcher/infielder, Southridge HS (Kennewick)
• Jaime Haase - catcher/1B, Tumwater HS
• Danika Hallom - outfielder, Adna HS
• Kendall Humphrey - infielder, Adna HS (also plays on the LCC volleyball team)
• Seyah Lindersmith - outfielder, Battle Ground HS
• Elysa Nash - infielder, Kittitas HS
• Ali Parkin - catcher/3B, Montesano HS
• Kennedy Selander - infielder, White River HS

 "We are off to a productive start. It's a good mix of veteran leadership, coachable players and a lot of talent. The team is bonding nicely and it's a group of strong athletes who are working hard to improve and learn the 'Red Devil way,'" Fuller said.
 
Fuller is assisted by Dave Andrew (12^th season) and Ada Williams (2^nd season).