HARROGATE, TN - Lincoln Memorial University softball will open the 2026 season Sunday and Monday, Feb. 8–9, at the Big Region Preseason Invitational presented by BurWil Construction, hosted by King University at the James K. Ellis Softball Complex at Winged Deer Park in Johnson City, Tennessee. The two-day event was updated to a Sunday/Monday format due to the chance of inclement weather, and the Railsplitters will play four games across the weekend with all contests slated to stream on the Conference Carolinas Digital Network.

LMU enters opening weekend after earning preseason recognition in the South Atlantic Conference coaches' poll, where the Railsplitters were selected third, and the roster features a strong group of returning production from last season. Hanna Bogoski highlights the returners after hitting .337 in 2025 with 31 hits, six doubles, four triples and 22 RBI, while Kristin Griffin batted .370 with three home runs and 23 RBI in 2025. Anna Kate Reichter posted a .385 average last season with 42 hits and 18 RBI, Reese Vivrette brings a .402 career batting average, and Hannah McMeen returns after batting .337 with three home runs, six triples and 22 RBI in 2025.

The Railsplitters begin tournament play Sunday, Feb. 8 at 10:00 a.m. with a matchup at host King University before facing Davis & Elkins College at 12:00 p.m. LMU returns Monday, Feb. 9 for a 10:00 a.m. game against Glenville State University and a 12:00 p.m. contest versus Concord University. Tickets for the event range from $10 to $20, and fans can find schedules and updates at the tournament's official event site.

Sunday's opener provides an early test against a King program that was picked third in the Conference Carolinas preseason poll and enters the weekend after opening its season 2-0. The series history between LMU and King has been competitive, with 38 all-time meetings, and the teams have faced each other frequently in recent seasons.

LMU's remaining matchups include familiar opponents from recent years, beginning with Davis & Elkins on Sunday. The Railsplitters are 2-0 all-time against the Senators, including a 4-1 win in the most recent meeting on Feb. 14, 2025. On Monday, LMU faces Glenville State for the first time since 2011, when the Railsplitters earned a 9-0 win, before closing the weekend against Concord. Lincoln Memorial has won eight straight meetings against Concord, including a 10-8 victory in the most recent matchup on Feb. 17, 2023.

LMU Schedule – Big Region Preseason Invitational (Johnson City, TN)
Lincoln Memorial at King — Sunday, Feb. 8 (10:00 a.m.)
Lincoln Memorial vs. Davis & Elkins — Sunday, Feb. 8 (12:00 p.m.)
Lincoln Memorial vs. Glenville State — Monday, Feb. 9 (10:00 a.m.)
Lincoln Memorial vs. Concord — Monday, Feb. 9 (12:00 p.m.)