Jan. 30—GRAND FORKS — The UND softball team heads to Hawaii next week to start the 2026 season and the Fighting Hawks will be testing out a new-look pitching staff.
UND head coach Jordan Stevens is excited to see his young throwers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"I'm a big fan of them," he said.
From Thursday to Saturday, UND will face Pacific, Seattle and Hawaii at the Paradise Classic in Honolulu.
A year ago, UND tied a program record for wins in a season with 26. The Hawks rode the pitching of Makaela Carr and Jackie Albrecht. Both pitchers finished with 3.70 earned-run averages or better and accounted for 195 innings pitched.
Carr ended with 106 strikeouts, while Albrecht collected 93 strikeouts.
Both pitchers were seniors.
The 2026 season will start with UND using Unity Nelson and Tehya Armstrong in the circle. Nelson was 6-3 last season in 71 innings, striking out 53 and walking 53. Armstrong threw 42.1 innings with a 4.80 ERA.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"We had two kids in Unity and Tehya as freshmen who were behind Jackie and Makaela and now they're stepping into primary roles," Stevens said. "They were probably ready for it last year. Early last year, we threw them in big spots. Tehya started against Arizona State in a game we won. They came back in the fall and impressed. It might be a jinx, but I think we're going to be pleasantly surprised from the circle."
In addition to SEMO transfer Tegan Livesay, the three will be the primary pitchers to start the year.
"Those three kids will give us legit shots to win games," Stevens said.
UND returns six of its nine regulars in the batting lineup, led by senior infielder Katelyn Neumayer, who hit .304 last season. Senior Camryn Lasota is also back after hitting .296 with eight home runs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlso returning are senior catcher Taya Hopfauf, of Dickinson, N.D., who hit .273 last season. Makenna Alexander, a sophomore from West Fargo Sheyenne, hit .263 last season.
"That offensive production helped lead us to some wins, and that'll have to continue," Stevens said. "In the Summit, although pitchers are good, you've got to score to have a chance."
The Hawks' biggest area to replace from 2025 will be the middle infield, where UND loses senior shortstop Katie Joten.
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