MACOMB, IL. – Western Illinois Softball has officially announced its full 2026 slate, featuring a competitive mix of early-season tournaments, nonconference tests, and a full Ohio Valley Conference schedule leading into the OVC Championship in early May.

The Leathernecks open the season February 6–8 at the Rosemont Tournament, playing five games across three days in Rosemont, Illinois. Western Illinois begins the year on February 6 against Oakland before returning to action on February 7 for matchups with Drake and Oakland. The weekend concludes February 8 with contests against DePaul and Detroit Mercy.

Western Illinois continues its nonconference road stretch the following weekend with a three-game series at Arkansas–Pine Bluff from February 13–15, followed by a midweek trip to Alabama A&M on February 17–18.

The Leathernecks then head to Louisville for the Bellarmine Round Robin from February 20–22, taking on Bellarmine twice along with Northern Kentucky on February 21–22. Tournament play continues February 28–March 1 at the Lindenwood Invite in St. Charles, Missouri, where WIU faces Indiana State and Valparaiso on February 28, followed by games against Green Bay and another matchup with Valparaiso on March 1.

Western Illinois opens March with a road weekend at Southeast Missouri State on March 7–8 before returning to Macomb for its home opener—a three-game set against Southern Indiana on March 14–15. The Leathernecks then travel to Drake on March 17 and Kansas City on March 18 for midweek nonconference contests.

OVC play continues at home March 21–22 as WIU hosts Morehead State for a doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday. The Leathernecks resume conference action March 28–29 on the road at Eastern Illinois.

Western Illinois remains at home April 3–4 for a three-game series against Tennessee Tech before traveling to Illinois for a single game in Champaign on April 7. OVC play continues April 11–12 at UT Martin, followed by an April 18–19 road trip to Tennessee State.

The Leathernecks host Bradley in nonconference play on April 21 before closing the home slate April 25–26 with three games against Lindenwood. The regular season concludes May 1–2 at SIUE.

The Ohio Valley Conference Tournament is scheduled for May 6–9.

Head coach Alisa Goler expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season, saying, "We really like the mix of competition we have this spring. It's always nice to be able to bring our young women to new venues and parts of the country. Looking forward to being back home on Mary Ellen in March."

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