ARCATA, Calif. — Cal Poly Humboldt softball enters the 2026 season with a youthful but battle-tested roster, returning key All-Conference performers and welcoming an influx of new talent as the Lumberjacks look to climb the standings in one of the most competitive leagues in NCAA Division II.
Humboldt was picked tied for seventh in the 2026 CCAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll, finishing with 30 points in a tightly packed conference race. The preseason poll featured three teams receiving first-place votes, led by Cal State East Bay.
2026 CCAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
-
Cal State East Bay (5) – 76
-
Cal State San Marcos (2) – 71
-
Cal State San Bernardino – 55
-
San Francisco State – 52
-
Cal State Dominguez Hills (1) – 44
-
Chico State (1) – 34
-
Cal State Monterey Bay – 30
-
Cal Poly Humboldt – 30
-
Stanislaus State – 13
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
Despite the preseason projection, the Lumberjacks return a strong veteran nucleus, including two All-Conference standouts who were named to the 2026 CCAA Watch List — a distinction reserved only for student-athletes who earned First or Second Team All-CCAA honors in 2025.
Watch List Recognition
Katlyn Gifford (1B, Riverside) and Alyssa Ramirez (OF, Elk Grove) headline the preseason accolades for Humboldt after both earned All-CCAA Second Team honors last season.
Gifford started 49 of 50 games at first base and put together one of the most productive offensive seasons in the conference. She hit .341 in 123 at-bats and ranked among the CCAA leaders, including 5th in slugging percentage (.589) and 6th in OPS (1.003). Gifford was tied for 7th in home runs (7), ranked 10th in RBIs (33), and tied for 4th in sacrifice flies (4).
Her late-season surge earned her NFCA/Louisville Slugger Division II National Player of the Week and CCAA Player of the Week honors. Defensively, Gifford finished second in the conference in total chances (436) and putouts (419) while committing just six errors for a .986 fielding percentage.
Ramirez provided steady production at the top of the order and reliability in right field, starting 49 of 50 games. She hit .320 with 48 hits, including four doubles and a triple, while driving in 19 RBIs. Ramirez posted a .408 on-base percentage, drew 17 walks, and was a perfect 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts. Defensively, she committed only one error, finishing with 69 putouts and a .986 fielding percentage.
Veteran Leadership Anchors Young Roster
The Lumberjacks return 12 players from last season, including five seniors who will be leaned on for leadership throughout the 2026 campaign.
Joining Gifford and Ramirez in the senior class is Shelby Shanks (SS, Stockton), an All-CCAA Honorable Mention selection, along with twin sisters Alexa Garcia (OF) and Bella Garcia (3B), both from Rocklin.
Humboldt also returns two juniors in outfielder Hailee Moore (Los Banos) and right-handed pitcher Rayna Ponce, who will redshirt during the 2026 season.
The sophomore class adds depth across the diamond, featuring right-handed pitcher Mason Hatton (Tulare), outfielder Bridgette Boling (Portland, Ore.), left-handed slugger Marissa Brody (Petaluma), right-handed pitcher Ariana Bottel (Loomis), and utility player Marisol Gomez (Elk Grove).
New Faces Add Depth and Versatility
Humboldt welcomes nine newcomers to the roster, highlighted by two transfers and a talented freshman class.
Transfers include junior catcher Shelbie Van Slyke from Palomar College and senior right-handed pitcher Siona Halwani from the University of Montana.
The freshman class features infielder Rylee Banks (Copperopolis), left-handed pitcher Lily Fournier (Las Vegas, Nev.), infielder Andrea Maldonado (Santa Ana), catcher Lauren Aubrey (Folsom), utility player Kaylee Dinger (McMinnville, Ore.), utility player Olivia Hurtado (Oakley), and catcher Matea Muraoka (Stockton).
Coaches
Head coach Megan Corriea enters her third season leading the Lumberjacks, owning a 52–47 overall record during her tenure, including a 28–22 mark in 2025. Under Corriea, Humboldt has remained in the CCAA playoff picture each season, battling into the final series of the regular season.
The Lumberjacks will look to take the next step in 2026, aiming to secure their first postseason berth under Corriea's leadership.
Corriea's staff brings continuity and experience, featuring Stephanie Ray, a Humboldt graduate and former Lumberjack softball student-athlete, alongside graduate assistants Ciera Pyle and Tessa Poirier.
Opening Weekend: Concordia Kickoff
Cal Poly Humboldt opens the 2026 season at the Concordia Kickoff in Irvine, Calif., with four games over two days against GNAC and PacWest opponents.
The Lumberjacks begin play Friday, facing Northwest Nazarene at 8:30 a.m. NNU was picked third in the GNAC preseason poll after finishing 23–23 overall and 11–13 in conference play in 2025. Humboldt will then take on Hawai'i Pacific at 1:00 p.m., as the Sharks enter the season picked sixth in the PacWest preseason poll following an 18–36 (12–24 PacWest) campaign.
On Saturday, Humboldt will face Jessup University at 8:30 a.m. The Warriors were selected fourth in the PacWest preseason poll after posting a 37–21 overall record and 24–12 conference mark in 2025. The weekend concludes against Azusa Pacific at 10:30 a.m., as the Cougars were picked third in the PacWest after a 31–22 season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the PacWest Tournament after falling to host Concordia Irvine in the championship game.
With experienced leadership and roster depth, the Lumberjacks enter the 2026 season focused on growth, consistency, and breaking through into the postseason.
How to Follow Along
Tournament Central Website
Friday vs Northwest Nazarene: Watch - Live Stats
Friday vs Hawai'i Pacific (no live stream): Live Stats
Saturday vs Jessup (no live stream): Live Stats
Saturday vs Azusa Pacific (no live stream): Live Stats
Up Next
The 'Jacks begin their season with 26 games on the road, not playing at home until March 20. Next weekend, Humboldt returns to Southern California for a non-conference game on Thursday against Western Oregon at Riverside City College, then the West Coast Challenge to play four games over two days in Lake Elsinore at Rosetta Canyon Sports Park versus No. 3 Western Washington and Western Oregon on Friday, followed by Biola and Azusa Pacific for Saturday's slate.
For more information on Cal Poly Humboldt softball, visit humboldtathletics.com, download our mobile app on Apple iOS or Google Android, and follow the Lumberjacks on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook.
Instagram: @humboldt.athletics, @humboldt.sb
Twitter/X: @HumboldtJacks
Facebook: Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks
