University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia softball players during a practice.
2026 Georgia Softball Preseason Preview
February 03, 2026 | Softball
ATHENS, Ga. – With the 2026 Georgia Softball season set to kick off this weekend, please review the information below for a season outlook and guide to coverage.
SEASON OUTLOOK
The 2026 season will be the 30th of Georgia softball in Athens and the fifth under the direction of head coach Tony Baldwin. The Bulldogs have 12 returners from their Super Regional team last season, but still field a young roster, with 13 of the 24 student-athletes on the team being freshmen or sophomores.
Emily Digby returns to the infield for her junior year after starting 57 games at shortstop in 2025. She hit .299, scattering 46 hits in 154 at-bats before batting .500 in the NCAA Tournament (9-for-18). Senior Tyler Ellison will also defend the middle after making 45 starts at second and hitting .273 on the year. Sophomore Mua Williams secured a starting spot at third as a true freshman last season, but Texas Tech transfer Bailey Lindemuth joins the Bulldogs this year after she hit .395 with 50 hits and 32 RBIs in 68 starts. Transfer Keirstin Roose will likely start at the opposite corner after playing four years at Coastal Carolina. Roose started in 61 games for the Chanticleers last season, batting .368 on the year with 67 hits -- including 15 home runs -- 46 runs and 54 RBIs.
The outfield will likely be filled by veterans Jaydyn Goodwin and Sarah Gordon in the corners, as well as transfer Delani Sullivan. Goodwin led last year's team with 189 at-bats, 65 hits, 46 runs, 12 home runs and 122 total bases while Gordon led the Bulldogs with 48 RBIs, scattering 59 hits and 100 total bases. Junior Emma Castorri, transfer senior Natalie Ray and freshman Natalie Donaldson will also see time.
Georgia will have a lot of experience behind the plate with returning seniors Marisa Miller and Gordon. Miller made a huge impact behind the dish last season, starting in 49 games and committing just one error for a .996 fielding percentage. She also led the SEC in runners caught stealing with 10 and finished the season with nine multi-hit games and four multi-RBI games.
With the departure of left-handed pitcher Lilli Backes, returning junior Randi Roelling will return in the circle this season. In her first season with the Bulldogs, the left-handed pitcher made 25 starts and finished the season with a 3.53 ERA, 11-9 record, and four saves. Right-handed pitcher Destin Howard also returns to Athens and will look for more time this season as she appeared in 14 games with one start last season. The Bulldogs added transfer right-handed pitchers Addisen Fisher (UCLA) and Maddie Johnson (Georgia Southern). Fisher posted a 16-2 record with a 2.59 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts in her freshman campaign. She also competed for Team USA at the WBSC U-18 World Cup where she was the only Team USA pitcher to throw a complete game. Johnson, an Athens, Ga. native, made 30 appearances in her freshman season with a conference-best 2.03 ERA in 145.0 innings of work. Freshman Presley Harrison and Ada Little could also see time in the circle this season.
PRESEASON RANKINGS
The Bulldogs have checked into the top 20 of every major collegiate softball preseason poll listed below:
NFCA/GoRout Division 1 Coaches Poll: 20
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25: 15
D1Softball Poll: 17
Softball America Poll: 15
Several Bulldogs also featured in both the D1Softball and Softball America preseason player rankings.
ADDISEN FISHER // Sophomore // RHP
JAYDYN GOODWIN // Senior // INF/OF
SARAH GORDON // Senior // UTL/C
PRESLEY HARRISON // Freshman // RHP
AVA LITTLE // Freshman // LHP
GABI NOVICKAS // Freshman // INF
BROOKE SMITH // Freshman // INF
SPRING ADDITION
To kick off the spring campaign, head coach Tony Baldwin announced the signing of North Georgia and Ole Miss transfer Natalie Ray, a native of Covington, Ga. A complete bio can be found below:
NATALIE RAY, OF, JR, 5-8
Covington, Ga., Eastside HS, North Georgia, Ole Miss
Junior // North Georgia
Played and started 60 games for the Nighthawks … batted .413 on the back of 78 hits … scored 60 runs … also tallied 15 doubles, three triples and 14 homers (third-most on team) … slugged .746 on the season … reached base on a team-high .484 clip (minimum 10 starts) … recorded 20 multi-hit games … had season-high four-RBI performances against Miles College and Augusta University … tied for team-low eight strikeouts on the season (minimum 10 starts) … commanded a 16-game hitting streak … earned Peach Belt Conference Team of Academic Distinction … also a Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association first team All-American … selected to National Fastpitch Coaches Association Southeast All-Region second team … Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament Team and All-Conference Team
Sophomore // North Georgia
Transferred to North Georgia prior to the 2024 season … Division 2 Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award … National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete … Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll Gold Scholar
Freshman // Ole Miss
Enrolled at Ole Miss in the fall of 2022 … played in 23 games making nine starts … batted .323 on the season with 10 hits … also walked three times … reached base on a .417-clip … slugged .323 with four RBIs … recorded first career multi-hit game against Southeast Missouri State … posted a five-game hitting streak during the Ole Miss Classic going 6-for-13 … went 1-1 with an RBI single, walk and stolen base in first career start
High School
Four-time letterwinner for Eastside High School Eagles … ranked as the #24 prospect and #9 outfielder in her class by Extra Inning Softball … GHSA first-team All-State selection all four years … selected as the region player of the year as a freshman and sophomore … batted .512 with 10 doubles, three triples and nine homers with 23 RBIs as a senior … as a junior, batted .487 with nine doubles, seven triples and seven home runs with 28 RBIs … posted a .461 average with seven doubles, four triples and two solo shots paired with 15 RBIs as a sophomore … batted .432 on top of eight doubles, two triples and a homer as a freshman with 17 RBIs … also played for Georgia Impact Premier
Personal
Daughter of Jonathan and Jessica Ray … Born Sept. 16, 2003 … Two sisters, Caitlin and Claire
SEC OUTLOOK
Prior to the 2026 SEC Softball season, following a vote by the 15 conference coaches, Texas was picked to finish first. The complete predictive standings are found below:
The Bulldogs will hit the national networks nine times before the postseason. A complete television guide is found below: (Note – all games not listed below are streamed live on ESPN+)
2/12/26 – Georgia vs. Oklahoma State (Clearwater Invitational) – 11 AM – SECN
2/13/26 – Georgia vs. NC State (Clearwater Invitational) – 9 AM - SECN
3/20/26 – Georgia vs. Mississippi State (SEC) – 6 PM – SECN
4/4/26 – Georgia @ Texas A&M – 1:30 PM – SECN
4/18/26 – Georgia vs. Texas – 4 PM – SECN
4/19/26 – Georgia vs. Texas – 12 PM – ESPN2
4/20/26 – Georgia vs. Texas – 7 PM – SECN
4/25/26 – Georgia @ Oklahoma – 2:30 PM – ESPN2
5/2/26 – Georgia vs. Florida – 12 PM – ESPN
5/5/26-5/9/26 – SEC Tournament – TBA – SECN/ESPN
5/15/26-5/17/26 – NCAA Regionals – TBA – TBA
5/21/26-5/24/26 – NCAA Super Regionals – TBA – TBA
5/28/26-6/5/26 – WCWS – TBA - TBA
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA softball on social media on X and Instagram @UGASoftball, on Facebook @GeorgiaSoftball and on the web at GeorgiaDogs.com.
SEASON OUTLOOK
The 2026 season will be the 30th of Georgia softball in Athens and the fifth under the direction of head coach Tony Baldwin. The Bulldogs have 12 returners from their Super Regional team last season, but still field a young roster, with 13 of the 24 student-athletes on the team being freshmen or sophomores.
Emily Digby returns to the infield for her junior year after starting 57 games at shortstop in 2025. She hit .299, scattering 46 hits in 154 at-bats before batting .500 in the NCAA Tournament (9-for-18). Senior Tyler Ellison will also defend the middle after making 45 starts at second and hitting .273 on the year. Sophomore Mua Williams secured a starting spot at third as a true freshman last season, but Texas Tech transfer Bailey Lindemuth joins the Bulldogs this year after she hit .395 with 50 hits and 32 RBIs in 68 starts. Transfer Keirstin Roose will likely start at the opposite corner after playing four years at Coastal Carolina. Roose started in 61 games for the Chanticleers last season, batting .368 on the year with 67 hits -- including 15 home runs -- 46 runs and 54 RBIs.
The outfield will likely be filled by veterans Jaydyn Goodwin and Sarah Gordon in the corners, as well as transfer Delani Sullivan. Goodwin led last year's team with 189 at-bats, 65 hits, 46 runs, 12 home runs and 122 total bases while Gordon led the Bulldogs with 48 RBIs, scattering 59 hits and 100 total bases. Junior Emma Castorri, transfer senior Natalie Ray and freshman Natalie Donaldson will also see time.
Georgia will have a lot of experience behind the plate with returning seniors Marisa Miller and Gordon. Miller made a huge impact behind the dish last season, starting in 49 games and committing just one error for a .996 fielding percentage. She also led the SEC in runners caught stealing with 10 and finished the season with nine multi-hit games and four multi-RBI games.
With the departure of left-handed pitcher Lilli Backes, returning junior Randi Roelling will return in the circle this season. In her first season with the Bulldogs, the left-handed pitcher made 25 starts and finished the season with a 3.53 ERA, 11-9 record, and four saves. Right-handed pitcher Destin Howard also returns to Athens and will look for more time this season as she appeared in 14 games with one start last season. The Bulldogs added transfer right-handed pitchers Addisen Fisher (UCLA) and Maddie Johnson (Georgia Southern). Fisher posted a 16-2 record with a 2.59 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts in her freshman campaign. She also competed for Team USA at the WBSC U-18 World Cup where she was the only Team USA pitcher to throw a complete game. Johnson, an Athens, Ga. native, made 30 appearances in her freshman season with a conference-best 2.03 ERA in 145.0 innings of work. Freshman Presley Harrison and Ada Little could also see time in the circle this season.
PRESEASON RANKINGS
The Bulldogs have checked into the top 20 of every major collegiate softball preseason poll listed below:
NFCA/GoRout Division 1 Coaches Poll: 20
ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25: 15
D1Softball Poll: 17
Softball America Poll: 15
Several Bulldogs also featured in both the D1Softball and Softball America preseason player rankings.
ADDISEN FISHER // Sophomore // RHP
- Ranked as the No. 93 player in the Softball America preseason Top 100 player rankings
- Ranked as the No. 74 player in the D1Softball preseason D100 player rankings
- Ranked as the No. 23 pitcher in the Softball America preseason pitcher rankings
- Ranked as the No. 25 pitcher in the D1Softball preseason pitcher rankings
- Named to the 2026 USA Softball preseason Player of the Year watch list
JAYDYN GOODWIN // Senior // INF/OF
- Ranked as the No. 52 player in the D1Softball preseason D100 player rankings
- Ranked as the No. 12 outfielder in the D1Softball preseason outfielder rankings
- Ranked as the No. 20 outfielder in the Softball America preseason outfielder rankings
SARAH GORDON // Senior // UTL/C
- Ranked as the No. 78 player in the Softball America preseason Top 100 player rankings
- Ranked as the No. 67 player in the D1Softball preseason D100 player rankings
- Ranked as the No. 8 utility player in the Softball America preseason utility player rankings
- Ranked as the No. 14 outfielder in the D1Softball preseason outfielder rankings
PRESLEY HARRISON // Freshman // RHP
- Named to D1Softball's D100 preseason freshman watch list
- Named to Softball America's preseason SEC freshman watch list
AVA LITTLE // Freshman // LHP
- Named to D1Softball's D100 preseason freshman watch list
- Named to Softball America's preseason SEC freshman watch list
GABI NOVICKAS // Freshman // INF
- Named to D1Softball's D100 preseason freshman watch list
BROOKE SMITH // Freshman // INF
- Named to Softball America's preseason SEC freshman watch list
SPRING ADDITION
To kick off the spring campaign, head coach Tony Baldwin announced the signing of North Georgia and Ole Miss transfer Natalie Ray, a native of Covington, Ga. A complete bio can be found below:
NATALIE RAY, OF, JR, 5-8
Covington, Ga., Eastside HS, North Georgia, Ole Miss
Junior // North Georgia
Played and started 60 games for the Nighthawks … batted .413 on the back of 78 hits … scored 60 runs … also tallied 15 doubles, three triples and 14 homers (third-most on team) … slugged .746 on the season … reached base on a team-high .484 clip (minimum 10 starts) … recorded 20 multi-hit games … had season-high four-RBI performances against Miles College and Augusta University … tied for team-low eight strikeouts on the season (minimum 10 starts) … commanded a 16-game hitting streak … earned Peach Belt Conference Team of Academic Distinction … also a Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association first team All-American … selected to National Fastpitch Coaches Association Southeast All-Region second team … Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament Team and All-Conference Team
Sophomore // North Georgia
Transferred to North Georgia prior to the 2024 season … Division 2 Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award … National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athlete … Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll Gold Scholar
Freshman // Ole Miss
Enrolled at Ole Miss in the fall of 2022 … played in 23 games making nine starts … batted .323 on the season with 10 hits … also walked three times … reached base on a .417-clip … slugged .323 with four RBIs … recorded first career multi-hit game against Southeast Missouri State … posted a five-game hitting streak during the Ole Miss Classic going 6-for-13 … went 1-1 with an RBI single, walk and stolen base in first career start
High School
Four-time letterwinner for Eastside High School Eagles … ranked as the #24 prospect and #9 outfielder in her class by Extra Inning Softball … GHSA first-team All-State selection all four years … selected as the region player of the year as a freshman and sophomore … batted .512 with 10 doubles, three triples and nine homers with 23 RBIs as a senior … as a junior, batted .487 with nine doubles, seven triples and seven home runs with 28 RBIs … posted a .461 average with seven doubles, four triples and two solo shots paired with 15 RBIs as a sophomore … batted .432 on top of eight doubles, two triples and a homer as a freshman with 17 RBIs … also played for Georgia Impact Premier
Personal
Daughter of Jonathan and Jessica Ray … Born Sept. 16, 2003 … Two sisters, Caitlin and Claire
SEC OUTLOOK
Prior to the 2026 SEC Softball season, following a vote by the 15 conference coaches, Texas was picked to finish first. The complete predictive standings are found below:
- Texas (9)
- Oklahoma (6)
- Tennessee
- Florida
- Arkansas
- Texas A&M
- LSU
- 8.Georgia
- Alabama
- South Carolina
- Mississippi State
- Auburn
- Ole Miss
- Missouri
- Kentucky
The Bulldogs will hit the national networks nine times before the postseason. A complete television guide is found below: (Note – all games not listed below are streamed live on ESPN+)
2/12/26 – Georgia vs. Oklahoma State (Clearwater Invitational) – 11 AM – SECN
2/13/26 – Georgia vs. NC State (Clearwater Invitational) – 9 AM - SECN
3/20/26 – Georgia vs. Mississippi State (SEC) – 6 PM – SECN
4/4/26 – Georgia @ Texas A&M – 1:30 PM – SECN
4/18/26 – Georgia vs. Texas – 4 PM – SECN
4/19/26 – Georgia vs. Texas – 12 PM – ESPN2
4/20/26 – Georgia vs. Texas – 7 PM – SECN
4/25/26 – Georgia @ Oklahoma – 2:30 PM – ESPN2
5/2/26 – Georgia vs. Florida – 12 PM – ESPN
5/5/26-5/9/26 – SEC Tournament – TBA – SECN/ESPN
5/15/26-5/17/26 – NCAA Regionals – TBA – TBA
5/21/26-5/24/26 – NCAA Super Regionals – TBA – TBA
5/28/26-6/5/26 – WCWS – TBA - TBA
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA softball on social media on X and Instagram @UGASoftball, on Facebook @GeorgiaSoftball and on the web at GeorgiaDogs.com.
Players Mentioned
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