Badgers open 30th season from Sunshine State

Friday, February 6

Boca Raton, FL

8:00 AM

Wisconsin Badgers

Stonehill

Alivia Bark and Shelby Jacobson meet in the circle during a fall ball game.

Photo by: Maddox Durst

Badgers open 30th season from Sunshine State

February 04, 2026 | Softball

UW takes on four opponents at Paradise Classic

By: Maddox Durst

Venue	Joan Joyce Field \| Boca Raton, Fla.
Live Stats	Stonehill (G1) \| Army \| Florida Atlantic \| Stonehill (G2) \| Ohio State
Watch ($)	FloCollege
Game Notes	Wisconsin
Social Media	X \| Instagram \| Facebook

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin softball team will kick off the 2026 season this weekend from Boca Raton, Florida, as they take on the Paradise Classic for the second time in as many years—beginning on Friday, Feb. 6.

The Badgers are set to open their 30th season of softball with a doubleheader, facing off versus Stonehill at 8:00 a.m. and Army at 10:15 a.m. on Friday morning. On Saturday, UW will take on host Florida Atlantic at 5:15 p.m., followed by a rematch with Stonehill at 7:30 p.m. Sunday will wrap up the weekend's slate, where the Badgers will battle against fellow Big Ten foe Ohio State, in a non-conference setting, at 8:00 a.m. All game times are listed as central time and subject to change.

All games will be streamed on FloCollege. Fans can also follow along with live stats and updates on UW's social media pages throughout the weekend.

Head Coach Yvette Healy enters her 16th year at the helm and 22nd overall, as she begins the season 21 wins away from 600 in her storied coaching career.

Healy and the Badgers are fresh off of one of their strongest seasons at the plate, bringing back a solid core of that offense from last year's 33-21 team.

Sophomore Kendra Lewis and junior Hilary Blomberg return as a pair of the top bats in the Big Ten. Lewis was the third Badger all-time to be named as an NFCA All-American, finishing the season with a .408 BA and a 1.092 OPS over 43 appearances. Blomberg led the team in extra base hits with 25, highlighted by her team-high 12 home runs en route to Second Team All-Big Ten honors.

They will be accompanied by redshirt freshman Jackie Showalter, who joined Lewis and Blomberg on the Big Ten Watch List. The Hartland native will return to the lineup after being sidelined last season due to injury.

Senior Emily Bojan and juniors Alivia Bark and Danielle Lucey as key contributors on both the offensive and defensive end as well. Lucey earned All-Big Ten Defensive recognition last season in the outfield.

In the circle, the Badgers will look to replace the steady production they received last season from graduates Gabi Salo and Molly Jacobson. Senior Shelby Jacobson and sophomore Jordan Felci are back to anchor the staff, as they will be joined by freshmen Sydney Vitangcol and Berritt Herr, who were each named to the Softball America Big Ten Freshman Watch List in the preseason.

Up Next: The Badgers are back on the road after their first weekend of play, as they will compete in the Dream City Invitational in Arlington, Texas, from Feb. 13-15.