Softball | 1/13/2026 12:00:00 PM
WASHINGTON — Howard University softball announced its 2026 schedule Tuesday morning, featuring a demanding nonconference slate, marquee Power Five matchups, and a full Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) schedule as the reigning conference champions. The Bison will compete across eight states this season while spending much of the early portion of the season on the road.
Howard opens the season at the Campbell Stampede, beginning Feb. 6 against Florida A&M, followed by matchups with Tennessee Tech on Feb. 7 and host Campbell on Feb. 8.
The Bison return to the HBCU Collegiate Invitational in Covington, Ga., starting Feb. 13, where they face Alabama A&M. Howard continues tournament play against Southern and Texas Southern on Feb. 14, before closing the weekend against North Carolina A&T and Alcorn State on Feb. 15. The Bison look to remain undefeated against both Alabama A&M and Alcorn State.
Howard heads to Baton Rouge, La., for the LSU Purple & Gold Challenge, opening against Louisiana on Feb. 20, followed by first-ever meetings with Michigan State on Feb. 21 and LSU on Feb. 22.
Next, the Bison travel west for the Arizona Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., beginning Feb. 27 against Long Beach State, before taking on Minnesota later that day and Arizona on Feb. 28. The Bison finish out the business trip with a rematch against the Gophers on Mar. 1.
Howard gets in their last non-conference game before conference play at the Marshall March Madness tournament, facing Akron on Mar. 7, Canisius later that day, and host Marshall on Mar. 8.
MEAC play opens at home as Howard hosts Maryland Eastern Shore March 13–14. The Bison then travel to Delaware State March 21–22, a rematch following Howard's 9–8 victory last season, its first against the Hornets since 2022.
Howard returns home to face South Carolina State March 28–29, before heading to North Carolina Central April 3–4. The Bison continue conference play on the road at Morgan State April 11–12, then step outside MEAC action with a matchup at Maryland on Apr. 15.
Howard returns to The District to host Coppin State April 18–19, followed by a road contest at George Mason on Apr. 22. HU hosts Norfolk State Apr. 25 followed by Senior Day Apr. 26, as the Bison host the Spartans in their final conference series. The regular season concludes with a nonconference home matchup against Georgetown on Apr. 29.
The MEAC Softball Championship will take place May 6–9 in Norfolk, Va., as Howard looks to defend its conference title.
Howard enters the 2026 campaign as the defending MEAC Tournament and Regular Season champions, following a historic 2025 season in which the Bison led the conference in batting average, runs, hits, RBIs, total bases, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and fielding percentage. The stats led to the program's first overall regular season champion title, boasting a 14-game win streak and 19 conference wins - the most in program history. The program also saw a school-record 11 Bison earn MEAC postseason honors, including Rookie of the Year, Lauryn Jones, who returns this season.
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.