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
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