The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, February 6
Conway, S.C.
12:30 PM
University of Akron
vs
Arkansas
Akron Zips Softball Opens the 2026 Season at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic
February 06 | Softball
The Akron Zips open the 2026 season at the Kickin' Chicken Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina at St. John Stadium in Conway, S.C. The Zips will play five games on opening weekend (Feb. 6-9) with two games against No. 8/9 Arkansas and Coastal Carolina and one game against Virginia. Both games against Coastal Carolina are scheduled for ESPN+ broadcast.
How to Follow
GM1: Feb. 6 vs Arkansas | 12:30 PM | Live Stats
GM2: Feb. 6 vs Coastal Carolina | 6:00 PM | Live Stats| Live Video
GM3: Feb. 7 vs Virginia | 1:30 PM |Live Stats
GM4: Feb. 8 vs Arkansas | 11:00 AM | Live Stats
GM5: Feb. 9 vs Coastal Carolina | 3:00 PM | Live Stats| Live Video
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Under fourth-year head coach Craig Nicholson, Akron enters the 30th season of intercollegiate competition in 2026. The Zips return 17 players from the 2025 squad and added six newcomers to the 2026 roster.
Akron posted a 30-25 overall record and 15-9 mark in MAC play a season ago, including an 10-8 record in neutral site games, 11-12 on the road and 9-5 at home. The Zips finished fifth in league play and earned a MAC Tournament birth. Akron returns four All-MAC honorees. Earning First Team All-MAC accolades were outfielder Meagan Lee and infielder Sophia Wygast, while redshirt pitcher Madie Jamrog and outfielder Andrea Day were named to the All-MAC Freshman Team.
Zips Softball Picked to Finish Fourth in Preseason MAC Coaches' Poll
The Akron Zips were picked to finish fourth overall in league play in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Coaches' Poll, the MAC announced on Wednesday.
Akron received one first place vote and 93 points overall, while also receiving one vote to win the season finale MAC Tournament. Miami was selected as the overall favorite with eight first place votes (118 pts) and five votes as MAC Tournament Champion.
2026 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll(First Place Votes)
1. Miami – 116 points (8)
2. Ohio – 108 points (1)
3. Ball State – 98 points (2)
4. Akron – 93 points (1)
5. Central Michigan – 77 points
6. Toledo – 72 points
7. Northern Illinois – 71 points
8. Western Michigan – 41 points
9. Buffalo – 40 points
10. Bowling Green – 34 points
11. Massachusetts – 23 points
12. Kent State – 19 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Miami (5), Ohio (5), Akron (1), Ball State (1)
How to Follow
GM1: Feb. 6 vs Arkansas | 12:30 PM | Live Stats
GM2: Feb. 6 vs Coastal Carolina | 6:00 PM | Live Stats| Live Video
GM3: Feb. 7 vs Virginia | 1:30 PM |Live Stats
GM4: Feb. 8 vs Arkansas | 11:00 AM | Live Stats
GM5: Feb. 9 vs Coastal Carolina | 3:00 PM | Live Stats| Live Video
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Under fourth-year head coach Craig Nicholson, Akron enters the 30th season of intercollegiate competition in 2026. The Zips return 17 players from the 2025 squad and added six newcomers to the 2026 roster.
Akron posted a 30-25 overall record and 15-9 mark in MAC play a season ago, including an 10-8 record in neutral site games, 11-12 on the road and 9-5 at home. The Zips finished fifth in league play and earned a MAC Tournament birth. Akron returns four All-MAC honorees. Earning First Team All-MAC accolades were outfielder Meagan Lee and infielder Sophia Wygast, while redshirt pitcher Madie Jamrog and outfielder Andrea Day were named to the All-MAC Freshman Team.
Zips Softball Picked to Finish Fourth in Preseason MAC Coaches' Poll
The Akron Zips were picked to finish fourth overall in league play in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Coaches' Poll, the MAC announced on Wednesday.
Akron received one first place vote and 93 points overall, while also receiving one vote to win the season finale MAC Tournament. Miami was selected as the overall favorite with eight first place votes (118 pts) and five votes as MAC Tournament Champion.
2026 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll(First Place Votes)
1. Miami – 116 points (8)
2. Ohio – 108 points (1)
3. Ball State – 98 points (2)
4. Akron – 93 points (1)
5. Central Michigan – 77 points
6. Toledo – 72 points
7. Northern Illinois – 71 points
8. Western Michigan – 41 points
9. Buffalo – 40 points
10. Bowling Green – 34 points
11. Massachusetts – 23 points
12. Kent State – 19 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Miami (5), Ohio (5), Akron (1), Ball State (1)
Players Mentioned
3B/OF
/ Softball
P/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball2026 Akron Zips Softball Preseason Preview with Coach Craig Nicholson - 2/2/26
Monday, February 02
2026 Akron Zips Softball Preseason Preview with Student-Athletes - 2/2/26
Monday, February 02
2025 Akron Zips Softball vs. Dayton (Game 2)
Thursday, April 24
2025 Akron Zips Softball vs. Dayton (Game 1)
Thursday, April 24
