Gardner-Webb Softball Spring 2026 Schedule Announced

Team Plays 54 Games with an 18-Game Big South Conference Slate

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Head Coach Bailey Wigness and the Gardner-Webb softball team have released the upcoming 2026 schedule, featuring 54 games, three home tournament weekends, and an 18-game Big South Conference slate.

Runnin ‘ Bulldog Classic: Gardner-Webb will open the season with four straight tournament weekends, including three at Brinkley Stadium. To start, GWU will host the Runnin’ Bulldog Classic from Feb. 6-8. The official season opener for the Dawgs is set for Feb. 6 with a 3 p.m./5:30 p.m. doubleheader against Youngstown State and Furman. On Feb. 7, Gardner-Webb will face Youngstown State and Tarleton State, before wrapping up against Furman on Feb. 8.

Red and Black Classic: Next, Gardner-Webb will host the Red and Black Classic, scheduled from Feb. 14-16. GWU will welcome Leigh and Queens for a doubleheader on Feb. 14, host Tennessee Tech and Leigh on Feb. 15, then battle Queens one last time on Feb. 16.

Jax State Tournament: Gardner-Webb finally hits the road from Feb. 20-22, visiting Oxford, Ala., for the Jacksonville State Tournament. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will open against Northwestern State and DePaul on Feb. 20, face Northwestern State and host JSU on Feb. 21, then conclude the busy weekend against Jacksonville State again on Feb. 22.

Spring in The Springs: The Runnin’ Bulldogs host the annual Spring in The Springs event from Feb. 27-March 1. North Dakota State travels all the way to Boiling Springs to open the event against GWU on Feb. 27, part of a Dawgs doubleheader with Lafayette. On the 28, Gardner-Webb will face Division I newcomers New Haven, as well as Lafayette again. To finish the tournament, GWU will take on New Haven one last time on March 1.

West Georgia Round Robin: The final early season tournament sees Gardner-Webb return the favor from a season ago and visit West Georgia for a three-team event on March 7 and 8. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will play back-to-back doubleheaders against West Georgia and North Alabama down in Carrollton.

Mid-Week Non-Conference: Gardner-Webb will have several mid-week non-conference games this season. The first will be a home doubleheader against Western Carolina on Feb. 24, before GWU travels back to Cullowhee, N.C., to return the favor on March 25. The Runnin’ Bulldogs will also host Bucknell for a doubleheader on March 10, as well as venturing out on the road to play N.C. Central twice on March 4, Clemson for one game on March 31, Appalachian State for one on April 9, and East Tennessee State University in a doubleheader on April 28.

Conference Play: The Runnin’ Bulldogs begin Big South play at home against Charleston Southern on March 13 and 14. The next two conference series will be on the road, when GWU faces Winthrop on March 20 and 21, followed by defending champions USC-Upstate on April 3 and 4, After nearly a month away from Brinkley Stadium, Gardner-Webb hosts Presbyterian on April 10 and 11. After a quick stop in Radford on April 17 and 18, the Dawgs host Longwood on April 25 and 26 for the final Big South series of the season.

For updates, game times, and more news on the Runnin’ Bulldogs, visit gwusports.com, or follow @gwusports on Instagram, X and Facebook.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.