Mississippi Valley State Softball Looks to Improve in 2026 Season

Mississippi Valley State University opens its 2026 softball season with renewed focus under second-year head coach Taliyah Riddick-Waters. Last year, the team finished with a 2-36 record and went winless in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

The team will compete in a four-game early-season invitational, starting with a Thursday night matchup against Saint Louis in Martin, Tennessee. The series continues with games against Tennessee-Martin on Friday and Saturday. Live stats will be available online, but tickets must be purchased in advance via PurplePass.

Mississippi Valley State faces stiff competition from programs with stronger records, including Saint Louis (34-24) and Tennessee-Martin (16-31). The series history shows Saint Louis leading the all-time series 5-1, while Tennessee-Martin leads 10-3. The teams last met in 2020 and 2022, with the Billikens and Skyhawks holding the series advantage.

The Delta Devils return several players from last season, including sophomore pitcher Ashtyn Clark and junior outfielder Taniya Partee. Clark, primarily a pitcher and first baseman, had a 17.87 ERA in 2025. Partee, who led the team with a .250 batting average, is expected to contribute offensively and defensively.

Newcomers and freshmen will also be key to the team’s development, with the coaching staff emphasizing improvement in both pitching and hitting. The season provides an opportunity for the Delta Devils to build momentum and develop their roster for future success.

Source: Original Article