With nine returning veterans from the 2025 undefeated NWAC championship team, joined by a strong group of nine freshman, Lower Columbia will open its season vs Pierce on Sunday February 15 at noon. The doubleheader will be on the home field at Tam 'O Shanter Park in Kelso.
 
"Going 48-0 last season and winning the title was a magical, incredible run," Head Coach Traci Fuller said. "We will never forget it, but today we are 0-0 and our only focus is being ready to play Pierce this Sunday."
 
Fuller, now in her 15^th season at Lower Columbia, also serves as the pitching coach. She welcomes back sophomore hurlers Ava Eib, Cerenity Fake and Zoey Hughes, who as freshman were terrific while posting a conference leading 2.05 earned run average, led the NWAC in strikeouts and allowed the second-fewest walks. They are joined this season by freshman southpaw Avery Garvey.

Hughes was voted NFCA All-American honors as a freshman and was the NWAC South's Pitcher of the Year. Eib and Fake earned South Region second team honors last season and Eib was named to the NWAC Championship All-Tourney team along with Hughes.
 
"It's an understatement to say I like our pitching," Fuller said. "All four have different speeds and spins and allow us to mix and match against about any opponents' strengths. They work together well, work hard and compete."
 
While the Red Devils graduated eight sophomores who combined for 74 of the league-leading 102 home runs and 376 of the league leading 559 RBIs, there is plenty of pop in the lineup Fuller will send out in 2026.
 
Top offensive returners include infielder Gabi Silveria (.438, 11 HR, 53 RBI) and catcher/infielder Shaz Ancheta (.447, 8 HR, 46 RBI). "Gabi and Shaz hit down our lineup last year, but they will move toward the top to open this year. Gabi brings a good mix of power and speed and Shaz is just a professional hitter and uses all parts of the field," Fuller said.
 
"From top to bottom I'm more than happy with the hitting potential of this team," Fuller said. "I see it as more of a 'doubles and speed' team than the big home run numbers we had last year. But we'll see. We have put in the time in weights and conditioning and we can still hit the ball out of the park."
 
Freshmen Alisyn Parkin and Jaime Haase join Ancheta to handle the catching duties and all three are capable corner infielders, as well. Silveria will be joined in the middle infield by freshmen Elysa Nash, Kennedy Selander and Kendall Humphrey.
 
When not pitching, Hughes will see time at third base and Fake, Terry and Garvey play first base. "We graduated the left side of a great infield, but we like the athletes who will step in this spring. I'm confident," Fuller said.
 
Depth is the byword for the Red Devil outfield with five sophomores and three freshmen competing for time. Rylee Brown, Dani Ambriz, Emma Langsi, Lily Mattison and Eib are the returners, with Seyah Lindersmith, Megan Dille and Danika Hallom the new faces in the LCC outfield.
 
Ambriz and Eib were both Academic All-Americans in 2025.
 
"All eight of our outfielders stand out defensively," Fuller said. It's impressive to watch our outfield pregame and practice work – all of them can go get it and have good arms."
 
After the opening DH with Pierce on Sunday, the Red Devils will continue non-league play until mid-March. LCC opens South Region play at Chemeketa on March 13 and will play 32 conference games through May 8.
 
The NWAC Championship are May 14-17 at Portland's Delta Park. "Right now, we have two goals. One is to beat Pierce in game one on Sunday and the other is to qualify for the tournament."
 
Dave Andrew (12^th season) and Ada Williams (2^nd season) assist Fuller. Williams was an outstanding player at LCC 2020-2022.