NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — With the crack of the bat and the smell of fresh dirt on the horizon, the Smith College softball team is gearing up for a highly anticipated 2026 season. Armed with a massive first-year class, a battle-tested core of upperclassmen, and a grueling schedule, the Bears are ready to make a statement both locally and within the fiercely competitive New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).
Head Coach Emily Lopez, entering another season at the helm, expressed immense optimism about the squad's dynamic.
"The team is energized as we head into the 2026 season," Lopez said. "With a combination of strong leadership and a large first-year class eager to compete, this group is ready to rise to the challenging schedule we have both in the NEWMAC and with our non-conference opponents. Our Florida schedule includes two teams who made it to the NCAA Tournament last season, along with three teams from the NESCAC. The NEWMAC will be strong throughout so we know we will have to show up ready to compete every time we step on the dirt. I am excited to see how this group continues to use their strong off-field connections to bring the best out of each other on the field."
The Roster: A Blend of Experience and Fresh Talent
This year's 17-player roster features an exciting youth movement, bolstered by steady veteran leadership. Senior outfielder Elinor Washington (Sacramento, CA/Pleasant Grove) will serve as the lone senior on the team, providing crucial leadership and experience to guide the younger athletes.
She will be supported by a deep junior class featuring infielders Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) and Kat Wajerski (Bellevue, WA/Newport), catchers Lucy Allen (West Boylston, MA/West Boylston) and Ava Lansbury (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty), outfielder Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port), and pitcher/outfielder Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point). Sophomores Lily Hackett (Concord, NH/Concord) and Lindsay Bennett (Sanford, ME/Berwick Academy) round out the group of returners, looking to make a massive leap in their second seasons.
The story of the roster, however, lies in its eight first-year players. Pitchers Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) and Alana Robinson (Benicia, CA/Benicia), alongside positional reinforcements Anna Gray (Santa Barbara, CA/Dos Pueblos), Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts), Riley Veenstra (Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd), Maya Patankar (Morris Plains, NJ/Morristown Beard School), Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes), and Malaya Sumii (Alameda, CA/The College Preparatory School) (IF), inject a high level of talent, depth, and competition into Lopez's lineup.
Alongside Lopez, the coaching staff will be bolstered by Graduate Assistant Coaches Emily Halloway and Nerina Tramp.
The Schedule: Spring Break Battles to NEWMAC Rivalries
Smith will jump straight into the fire during their Spring Break trip to Clermont, Florida, beginning March 15. The 10-game southern swing features several tough tests, including three NESCAC matchups against Trinity (Mar. 16), Wesleyan (Mar. 16), and Colby (Mar. 20), fulfilling Coach Lopez's promise of an elite non-conference slate.
The Bears return to Northampton for their home opener on Friday, March 27, for a doubleheader against Keene State. The very next day, the true test begins as Smith opens NEWMAC play by hosting Babson College for a noon doubleheader.
The regular season is packed with regional rivalry games, including bouts against Westfield State, Amherst, and Williams. Conference action continues to heat up through April as Smith goes head-to-head with Emerson, Wheaton, Salve Regina, Springfield, Clark, WPI, Coast Guard, MIT, and Wellesley.
The grueling schedule is all in preparation for the ultimate goal: the 2026 NEWMAC Tournament, which is slated to take place May 4-10.
With strong off-field chemistry and a schedule designed to push them to their limits, the 2026 Smith College Bears are locked in and ready for the first pitch.
About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram
