STORM LAKE, Iowa (Feb. 24, 2026) - The Buena Vista softball team and second-year head coach Tammy Utley aim to make continued strides forward as the strong mix of experience and new faces take the field for BVU in 2026.

The Beavers went 7-27 (0-16 A-R-C) in Utley's first season last spring but had to battle through some key injuries throughout the year. As the first pitch of the 2026 campaign inches closer, BVU is excited for the opportunity to bounce back with healthier bodies and a deeper overall roster.

Despite a great deal of experience coming back, Utley will need to replace her entire starting outfield from a year ago (Paige Druskis, Danica Workman and Madalyn Elwood) which also accounted for nearly 43 percent of the team's hit production and over 50 percent of its runs scored from 2025.

Senior Keirsten Trayte, a 2024 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection, missed most of last season with injury. She is back in the line-up this season but is expected to give up her pitching duties and be solely a first baseman/designated player. As a sophomore, she hit .253 with seven doubles and 13 RBI.

Senior pitcher/designated player Rylie Garner (.281 AVG / 6 RUNS / 17 RBI) will be the top returning slugger from last season and followed right behind by junior middle infielder Jillian Garcia (.273 AVG / 8 RUNS / 8 RBI). Also back are sophomore infielder Jordan Fabirkiewicz (.225 AVG / 18 HITS / 7 RBI) and sophomore catcher Lindy Nelson (.194 AVG / 15 HITS / 5 RBI). The group looks to provide more offensive fire power for a team that averaged only 3.3 runs per game and hit only five home runs. With a more experienced defensive group coming back, Utley will also lean on them to improve on the .932 fielding percentage.

Seniors Rylie Garner and Grace Fuhrman, along with junior Kali Irlmeier, are among the team's top returner pitchers from a year ago. The trio combined to start 29 games inside the circle and accounted for all but 40 innings pitched. Garner pitched a team-leading 57.0 innings and finished with a 5.53 ERA. Irlmeier was right behind with 55.2 innings of work and 28 strikeouts which led the staff. Utley will be looking for her arms to produce a few more swings and misses, as the staff generated only 84 strikeouts in nearly  200 innings pitched.

Even with the experienced core of returners, Utley is excited to build a deeper roster with the addition of 13 newcomers. 

“We return a strong core of players and welcome a talented group of newcomers that we look forward to developing,” says Utley. After a productive fall semester, our team is prepared to embrace the challenges of a demanding conference schedule."

The pops of the gloves and the pings of the bats will be heard when the team opens the season inside of the Rosemont Dome in Mankato, Minn., on Feb. 28 and March 1 for the annual Rosemont Dome Games hosted by Luther College. BVU begins play on the 28th against St. Olaf College (5:30 p.m.) and UW-La Crosse (7:30 p.m.). A week later, the Beavers head south for spring break where it will play eight games over a five-day span at Clermont, Fla.

Later in March will be the home opener with a non-conference doubleheader against Mount Marty University on March 24. Picked to finish ninth in the A-R-C Preseason Coaches Poll, the Beavers will have their first chance to make a statement in conference play when they host the University of Dubuque for the A-R-C opener on April 4. Additional home conference DH's for the team include: Luther (April 18), Central (April 28) and Loras (May 1).