Skip To Main Content

Furman University

Home Run Celebration Versus Anderson Fall Ball
Jeremy Fleming Photography

Softball By: Jordan Caskey

Furman Softball Opens Season At Runnin' Bulldog Classic This Weekend

Paladins Face Tarleton State in Friday Season Opener

Greenville, S.C. – The Furman softball team opens its 2026 season this weekend when it takes part in Gardner-Webb's Runnin' Bulldogs Classic at Brinkley Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C.
 
Furman, under the leadership of first-year head coach Mary Beth Dennison, opens the season on Friday at 12:30 p.m. versus Tarleton State before facing the tournament hosts at 5:30 p.m. The Paladins and the Youngstown State Penguins open Saturday's tournament play at 10 a.m. with a rematch against Tarleton State scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Furman closes the weekend with a 12:30 p.m. contest on Sunday against Gardner-Webb, which will be streamed live on ESPN+. Live statistics for all five games will be provided with links available on the softball schedule page at FurmanPaladins.com.
 
Dennison takes over a Furman program that went 15-38 overall and 5-16 in Southern Conference play a year ago. The Paladins return five position starters from last year's squad, led by preseason All-Southern Conference choice Sylvia Burroughs. Second baseman Ansley Chiang, shortstop Kate Stoltzfus, third baseman Rachel Hawkins, and centerfielder Katie Peeler also return after logging the majority of starts at their respective positions in 2025.
 
Furman's pitching staff graduated experienced performers Emme Buzhardt, Lauralee Scott, and Isabella Cear but return junior Taylor Miller and sophomore Lily O'Bryan. They will compete for time in the circle in 2026 with the freshmen trio of Gwen Hill, Jamison Noonan, and Kristyn Embler.
 
Friday's meeting will be just the second all-time between Furman and Tarleton State with the Paladins having dropped a 10-3 decision in the only previous encounter in 2022. Furman holds a 24-13 series lead over Gardner-Webb and downed the Runnin' Bulldogs, 5-4, in the most recent meeting last season in Greenville. Youngstown State and Furman split a pair of games at last season's Furman Round Robin and the Paladins hold a 4-1 series advantage.  
 
Runnin' Bulldog Classic
Feb. 6   Furman vs. Tarleton State          12:30
            Furman at Gardner-Webb         5:30
Feb. 7   Furman vs. Youngstown St.        10:00 am
            Furman vs. Tarleton State          12:30
Feb. 8   Furman at Gardner-Webb         12:30
 
Minuteman Press is the Official Sponsor of Furman Athletics press releases.
 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Isabella Cear

#33 Isabella Cear

P
5' 5"
Senior
L/L
Lauralee Scott

#16 Lauralee Scott

P/DP
5' 4"
Senior
R/R
Sylvia Burroughs

#18 Sylvia Burroughs

C/DP
5' 6"
Senior
R/R
Ansley Chiang

#8 Ansley Chiang

2B/SS
5' 3"
Junior
R/R
Rachel Hawkins

#31 Rachel Hawkins

3B
5' 10"
Sophomore
R/R
Taylor Miller

#11 Taylor Miller

P
5' 10"
Junior
R/R
Lily O

#26 Lily O'Bryan

P
5' 9"
Sophomore
R/R
Katie Peeler

#5 Katie Peeler

OF
5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
Kate Stoltzfus

#2 Kate Stoltzfus

2B/SS
5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
Kristyn Embler

#4 Kristyn Embler

INF
5' 6"
Freshman
R/R
Gwen Hill

#7 Gwen Hill

P
5' 9"
Freshman
R/R
Jamison Noonan

#9 Jamison Noonan

P
5' 10"
Freshman
R/R

Players Mentioned

Isabella Cear

#33 Isabella Cear

5' 5"
Senior
L/L
P
Lauralee Scott

#16 Lauralee Scott

5' 4"
Senior
R/R
P/DP
Sylvia Burroughs

#18 Sylvia Burroughs

5' 6"
Senior
R/R
C/DP
Ansley Chiang

#8 Ansley Chiang

5' 3"
Junior
R/R
2B/SS
Rachel Hawkins

#31 Rachel Hawkins

5' 10"
Sophomore
R/R
3B
Taylor Miller

#11 Taylor Miller

5' 10"
Junior
R/R
P
Lily O

#26 Lily O'Bryan

5' 9"
Sophomore
R/R
P
Katie Peeler

#5 Katie Peeler

5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
OF
Kate Stoltzfus

#2 Kate Stoltzfus

5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
2B/SS
Kristyn Embler

#4 Kristyn Embler

5' 6"
Freshman
R/R
INF
Gwen Hill

#7 Gwen Hill

5' 9"
Freshman
R/R
P
Jamison Noonan

#9 Jamison Noonan

5' 10"
Freshman
R/R
P