The 2026 softball season is beginning later than Kansas Wesleyan coach Ryan Cooper expected but he isn't disappointed having some extra time to prepare, especially with Coyotes able to get work outdoors.
"We're covering everything that we need to cover moving into the season rather than like 'we did this stuff in the fall, but we've got to translate it to the game because we haven't been able to get outside to work on it,"' said Cooper who enters his fourth season. "That's out the door this year, which is great."
The Coyotes open Thursday with a doubleheader against Oklahoma Panhandle State in Goodwell, Okla.
KWU finished with a 23-23 record, 14-12 in the Kansas Conference in 2025. Several athletes departed but there is returning experience led by All-KCAC honorees Alli Mickelsen and Keira Hammen. Hammen was a First Team utility player and Mickelsen a Second Team pitcher; both are juniors this spring.
Cooper is relying on other returners and newcomers to fill the gaps.
"Obviously every year having new players you hope it's going to go the way you think but the work they've put in in the past two three weeks has been really impressive," he said. "We did a lot of good stuff in the fall, but they've really locked in and focused. Very excited to see some of our new players play and contribute to our team."
Mickelsen (10-6, 3.30 earned run average) is joined in the pitching circle by sophomore Bella Allen (3-6, 4.07) and give KWU two solid starters.
"Londyn (Ysidro) is moving up from developmental (team) this year and then Addie Herrera won a state championship at McPherson High School last year," Cooper said. "With those additions to what we already had from last year there's no reason we don't have a solid core."
Hitting should be a strength according to Cooper.
"I'll be honest, offensively we've gotten better," he said.
Hammen, who will play first base, hit .367 and led the team with nine home runs and 28 runs batted in. Senior third baseman Cadence Mallet (.333), senior outfielder Deja Rubio (.290), sophomore catcher Brooklyn Lange (.280), junior catcher Grace Pierce (.256) and senior shortstop Elli Han (.271) return as well.
Freshman Kendell Wilcox is slated for second base. Others in the infield mix are sophomore Morgan Rasmussen and freshman Madison Geer. The outfield will consist of Rubio, junior Becca Kennon and junior transfer MacKenzie Vela.
Brooklyn Smith, a transfer, and freshman Kama Seminavage from Hawaii will handle designated player duties.
Cooper said defense is a work in progress.
"You don't learn in one day, you don't get the experience in one day but having a lot of practice and intrasquad games is going to give us a leg up," he said.
Cooper expects the KCAC to shake out much like it has in recent seasons.
"Evangel is really good, Friends is always really good, OKW is always really good," he said. "There's always been three teams that are good then it's the four through ten. I'm not scared of the top; we already know who that is. It is that four through 10 where we're all the same."
The KCAC Championships will be played at Salina South High School April 29-May 1 which should benefit the Coyotes.
"Home field advantage in any sport is it's a real thing," Cooper said. "Playing there, practicing there on a day in day out basis, knowing the field, knowing the wind, knowing the conditions ... And there's a thing about sleeping in your own bed, the comfortability, the routine, all of that.