The USI softball team looks to build off of last season’s success in 2026. In that season, the Screaming Eagles finished with a conference record of 13-11, which was good enough for fourth place in the Ohio Valley Conference. This place bought them a first-round bye and a second-round matchup against Lindenwood University, where they won with a score of 5-2. However, they ultimately bowed out after losing against first-place Eastern Illinois University by a score of 1-4. Despite the tournament being double elimination, they lost the next game against Tennessee Tech University in a close scoring game (1-2).
This season, Southern Indiana is predicted to finish fifth place in 2026, according to the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll. This ranking indicates that coaches within the OVC believe that the Screaming Eagles are due for regression this season. (This seems to be a trend; the baseball and softball teams have been doubted this season. This is definitely some extra motivation for the teams.)
In non-conference play so far, the Screaming Eagles have a record of 3-9, but that record can be misleading, as the USI softball team has played some considerable competition. Opponents that they have played include, but are not limited to, Ball State University, University of Kansas, University of Massachusetts, Florida Atlantic University, Villanova University, and Murray State University. These are some tough competitions in the non-conference schedule.
Kansas is a power-four conference opponent, while UMASS and Ball State are both Mid-American Conference teams, which have a higher level of talent compared to the OVC. These matchups provide an early opportunity for adversity for the team, which is where Head Coach Sue Kunkle and the rest of the coaching staff determine which players can handle high-pressure games and which ones need development.
In that stretch of games, three players have stood out the most, from a batting perspective. Katelyn Marx, freshman outfielder, Caroline Stapleton, senior outfielder, and Sydney Long, junior infielder, have been the most effective hitters. All three have batted above .300, while Marx is hitting at an excellent .361. Although early, a freshman hitting at that level is something to behold, so keep an eye on her this season.
As for runs batted in, the leaders in the house are three players: Long, Kate Satkoski, junior outfielder, and Grace Huffman, sophomore first baseman. All three currently have five RBIs thus far.
On the mound, the Screaming Eagles have faced some tough opponents, so the numbers don’t look ideal. Anna Kemp, freshman pitcher, currently has an earned run average of 4.81, which is the lowest on the team and below the team average of 6.49.
Kylie Witthaus, sophomore pitcher who is an all-OVC returner, has the largest ERA on the team so far, with 8.19. As a freshman last year, she finished with an ERA of 2.97 and a win-loss record of 6-8. Could it be a sophomore slump? I would say it is way too early to consider that thought, as she could easily return to prime form during conference play. In the OVC last season, she finished with a solid 1.94 ERA and a win-loss record of 6-2; I will be buying stock in the position that she will produce similar numbers from last season, when OVC play begins.
As for OVC play, I am going to go out on a limb to say that the Screaming Eagles will not only improve from last season’s success, but will go beyond that. I think this year’s team will break through in their first official season in Division I, make a deep run in the OVC tournament, and finish in the top three in the regular season title race. So far, this is more of a pedigree prediction, as Coach Kunkle has led the team to consistent winning seasons in the OVC . I think that she is due for a big season, like the one in 2024, when she led the team to three victories in the OVC Tournament. I know that the gambler’s fallacy is just that, a fallacy; But as someone who knows a thing or two, it comes down to a coin flip. The better side of the coin will rear its head in 2026, book it.