Softball | 1/15/2026 3:09:00 PM
Crookston, Minn. -- The University of Minnesota Crookston softball program and head coach Ashton Sangster recently released their schedule for the 2026 season.
In her first season, Sangster helped guide the Golden Eagles to a school record 20 wins and eight wins in the ultra-competitive NSIC, also a school record. The Golden Eagles also won five conference games in a row at one point last season, which was also a school record.
The Golden Eagles will play 25 non-conference games this season and put on a lot of miles while doing so. The maroon and gold will open the season on January 30 for the second straight season in Branson, Mo., playing a doubleheader with Central Oklahoma and Arkansas at Monticello. The Golden Eagles will also play Arkansas Tech for the second straight season, where Sangster starred as a player.
The Golden Eagles will play non-conference games in Missouri, Colorado, Kansas and will also make their typical Florida trip.
While in Colorado, Minnesota Crookston will play four schools for the first time in program history: Colorado at Colorado Springs, CSU-Pueblo, Adams State and Texas A & M-Kingsville. Overall, Minnesota Crookston will play seven schools for the first time in program history as Malone University, Walsh University and Davenport University join the schools mentioned previously that the Golden Eagles will meet between the foul lines for the first time ever.
Following their challenging non-conference slate, the Golden Eagles will open up conference play on March 21 for a doubleheader with Sioux Falls for the home opener. They will then welcome in Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday, March 22.
Minnesota Crookston will welcome in newcomers to the league, the University of Jamestown for the first time in conference play on April 4 for a doubleheader.
The Golden Eagles will have an important eight game road streak sandwiched in conference play as they will make trips to MSU Moorhead, UMary, Minot State and Minnesota Duluth, all for doubleheaders.
U of M Crookston will close out the home portion of their season on the last weekend of April when St. Cloud State and Concordia-St. Paul head north for a pair of doubleheaders.
The NSIC tournament is set for May 6-9.
