18 October, 2025
big-east-college-softball-teams-kick-off-fall-season-with-energy

The fall softball season has officially begun for Big East college teams, providing fans with an early glimpse of the upcoming 2026 season. With new talent joining the rosters and coaches making strategic adjustments, teams are setting their sights on ambitious goals. This article highlights five key impressions from the early fall games.

St. John’s Red Storm Aims to Defend Title

The St. John’s Red Storm enters the fall with high expectations following a record-breaking 2025 season. The team achieved a remarkable 39 wins, including 19 victories in the Big East, setting a program record. Senior Jess Bianco, who achieved a single-season hit record of 74, returns alongside seven other seniors, adding experience and leadership.

St. John’s started its fall schedule with a doubleheader against Iona and St. Thomas Aquinas at the end of September. Upcoming matches include contests against Adelphi and Stony Brook, followed by a trip to face Hofstra. The fall season will culminate with a 10-inning game against Rutgers on October 18, 2025.

UConn Huskies Seek Continued Success

The UConn Huskies are coming off a historic 2025 campaign that marked their fourth consecutive season with at least 30 wins. The team set multiple program records, including runs scored and home runs. Despite losing key players to the transfer portal, the Huskies welcome nine newcomers, aiming to build on their success and advance further in the postseason.

UConn opened the fall season with home games against Post University and Franklin Pierce. The squad will also face challenges from Boston College and Eastern Connecticut State before concluding their fall play against Quinnipiac.

Villanova Wildcats Look to Rebound

After a disappointing 2025 season, the Villanova Wildcats are eager to return to form. Under head coach Bridget Orchard, the team finished the last season with a record of 27 wins, falling short of the Big East Championship final for the first time. This fall, five freshmen, including Maggie Kin and Aubrey Polic, join the squad in hopes of reigniting their competitive edge.

Villanova kicked off their fall season with intersquad scrimmages, followed by matches against Binghamton, Long Island, and Saint Joseph’s. The team will wrap up fall play with a doubleheader against Monmouth and Rutgers.

Creighton Bluejays Aim for Historic Performance

On a new state-of-the-art field, the Creighton Bluejays are poised to make program history. They achieved a notable 30-25 record in 2025, marking their first back-to-back 30-win seasons since 2009 and 2010. The Bluejays also set a school record with 321 runs scored. Despite an early exit from the Big East Tournament, the team’s prospects look bright with the addition of three transfers.

Creighton began its fall season facing teams such as Midland and Iowa Western CC. The Bluejays concluded their slate with matches against Butler CC and others, showcasing their potential ahead of the next season.

Butler Bulldogs Seek to Build on Recent Success

The Butler Bulldogs are returning seven starters from a team that qualified for the Big East Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. Finishing with a record of 26-22, the Bulldogs aim to improve upon their last season’s performance. New transfer Maren Berger, a right-handed pitcher, adds depth to the roster.

Butler opened their fall schedule against Danville and Marian. The team will continue to build momentum with matches against Earlham and conclude their four-game slate against UIndy on October 18, 2025.

As the fall season progresses, these teams are not only preparing for the 2026 campaign but also building a foundation for their long-term goals in college softball. The excitement surrounding these programs is palpable, and fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches and developments.