EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball is projected to finish fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2026. The preseason predicted order of finish was voted upon by the league's head coaches and communication directors.
 
USI heads into its fourth season in the Ohio Valley Conference and first as a full-fledged NCAA Division-I member in 2026. After completing the reclassification process, USI is now eligible to compete for an NCAA Championship postseason berth.
 
The Screaming Eagles won 17 games overall and finished fourth in the OVC last season to earn a third consecutive OVC Tournament berth.
 
The 10-team OVC will feature a schedule with each team playing each other in one three-game series for a 27-game conference schedule from March 7 through May 3. The conference's season concludes with the 2026 OVC Softball Championship Tournament, which returns to Louisville Slugger Sports Complex and OSF Healthcare Field in Peoria, Illinois, for the third consecutive season on May 6-9.
 
Southeast Missouri State University was predicted first in the OVC preseason poll with 148 points and eight first-place votes. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the 2025 runner-up in the OVC, came in second with 139 points and received eight first-place votes. Reigning OVC champion Eastern Illinois University was selected third with 138 points and three first-place votes.
 
Lindenwood University was picked fourth with 108 points. USI was slotted fifth with 107 points and received a first-place vote. Tennessee Tech University (75) and Tennessee State University (68) were selected sixth and seventh, respectively. The University of Tennessee at Martin (55), Western Illinois University (41), and Morehead State University (21) rounded out the preseason poll.
 
As part of the OVC's preseason announcement, junior infielder Sydney Long and junior outfielder Kate Satkoski represented USI on the 2026 OVC Softball Preseason Players to Watch List.
 
Long was one of three players to start all 42 games for the Screaming Eagles. Long ranked second on the team with a .309 batting average, 17 runs, and 18 RBIs. The infielder also slugged .455 toward an .835 OPS. Long totaled 38 hits in 123 at-bats, including six doubles, three triples, and two home runs. Long posted 12 multi-hit games, had five games with multiple RBIs, and defensively, helped turn five double plays. The Haubstadt native finished last season earning OVC All-Tournament honors for the second consecutive season.
 
Satkoski made 36 starts in 40 games played last season. The outfielder batted .233 with 21 hits in 90 at-bats while scoring nine runs. Satkoski totaled nine extra-base hits with four doubles, three triples, and two home runs. Satkoski also collected 16 RBIs and swiped two bases. In 2025, Satkoski posted five multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games.
 
Senior outfielder Caroline Stapleton, sophomore pitcher Kylie Witthaus, and sophomore catcher/infielder Jordan Mackey were also highlighted in the OVC's preseason announcement as USI's three returning all-conference players.
 
Stapleton is coming off back-to-back All-OVC Second Team selections. In 2025, Stapleton led USI with a .367 batting average, 44 hits, and 19 runs scored. Stapleton also swiped a team-high eight stolen bases and tied for second on USI with 11 walks. The outfielder's batting average ranked inside the top 10 in the OVC. Starting all 39 games this season, Stapleton had a team-best 12 multi-hit games.
 
Witthaus had a stellar freshman campaign in 2025, hitting her stride during OVC play. Overall, Witthaus (6-7) led Southern Indiana with a 2.91 ERA. The left-hander totaled 52 strikeouts in 89 innings pitched and held opponents to a .263 batting average. Witthaus had nine complete games with three shutouts, making 15 starts and 19 total appearances. Witthaus ranked top 10 in the OVC in ERA, fewest runs allowed, complete games, shutouts, and opposing batting average. During the OVC season, Witthaus turned in a stretch of seven consecutive quality starts.
 
Mackey played in 34 games as a freshman in 2025. Mackey was second on the team with a .295 batting average but paced the squad with four home runs and 24 RBIs. The freshman also led USI with nine doubles and a .864 OPS (.534 slugging percentage, .330 on-base percentage). Mackey totaled eight multi-hit games during the season. The Evansville native also had seven games with multiple RBIs.
 
USI opens its 2026 season February 7-8 at the Alabama State Stinger Classic. Following a month of non-conference games, the Screaming Eagles will begin its OVC slate and open its home schedule March 7-8 against Tennessee State University at USI Softball Field.
 
2026 OVC Softball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Southeast Missouri (8) - 148
2. SIUE (8) – 139
3. Eastern Illinois (3) – 138
4. Lindenwood – 108
5. Southern Indiana (1) – 107
6. Tennessee Tech – 75
7. Tennessee State – 68
8. UT Martin – 55
9. Western Illinois – 41
10. Morehead State - 21
 
Returning All-OVC
Morgan Hance, OF, Eastern Illinois
Karlie McKenzie, P, Eastern Illinois
Tori Hatton, IF, Lindenwood
Nicole Henson, OF, Lindenwood
Avery Wapp, P, Lindenwood
Maddy Christopher, OF, Morehead State
Sela Pickford, IF, Morehead State
Brooklyn Saysoff, IF, Southeast Missouri
Madison Winkler, OF, Southeast Missouri
Avery Arwood, P, SIUE
Jordan Mackey, C/IF, Southern Indiana
Caroline Stapleton, OF, Southern Indiana
Kylie Witthaus, P, Southern Indiana
Hailey Hunt, OF, Tennessee State
Payton Brown, IF/UT, Western Illinois
 
OVC Preseason Players to Watch List
Abi Hatton, UT, Eastern Illinois
Bryana French, P, Eastern Illinois
Ryleigh Owens, P, Lindenwood
Sydney Farmer, C/3B, Morehead State
Rylie Burney, P, Morehead State
Maddie Carney, P, Southeast Missouri
Aubrie Shore, IF, Southeast Missouri
Kaylin Fahy, OF, SIUE
Raegan Duncan, IF, SIUE
Sydney Long, 2B, Southern Indiana
Kate Satkoski, OF, Southern Indiana
Jace Jackson, MI, Tennessee State
Kailyn Jean-Baptiste, IF, Tennessee State
Emily York, P, Tennessee Tech
Olivia Evans, OF, Tennessee Tech
Avary Makarewicz, C, UT Martin
Dylan Scott, UT, UT Martin
Lillie Wools, P/UT, Western Illinois
Sophia Sanchez, 2B, Western Illinois