ETSU Softball Set for Saturday Doubleheader Against Alabama A&M

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The East Tennessee State University (ETSU) softball team continues its 2026 home schedule with a Saturday doubleheader against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Betty Basler Field. The games are scheduled for noon and 2:30 p.m. ET, marking week three of action for the Buccaneers.

Game Information

Game 1

East Tennessee State (7-1, 0-0 SoCon) vs. Alabama A&M (10-5, 0-0 SWAC)
February 28 | 12:00 p.m. ET | Betty Basler Field | Johnson City, Tenn.
Live Stats

Game 2

East Tennessee State (7-1, 0-0 SoCon) vs. Alabama A&M (10-5, 0-0 SWAC)
February 28 | 2:30 p.m. ET | Betty Basler Field | Johnson City, Tenn.
Live Stats

Recent Performance & Key Players

ETSU enters the doubleheader with a 7-1 record, achieving the best start to a season in program history. A recent 17-0 victory over Tennessee State set a modern facility record at Betty Basler Field. During that game, 18 Buccaneers recorded a plate appearance, with 14 registering a hit and 13 scoring runs. Riley Martens hit a three-run home run, her 18th career homer.

Other recent highlights include Payton Moore hitting her first career home run in a 3-2 victory over Bowling Green, and strong pitching performances from Eden Muncy, Catlin Pennington, Tiare Rieger, Whitney Boone, and Hailey Porter.

Season Outlook

The Buccaneers are scheduled for a total of 52 regular-season contests, with 25 at Betty Basler Field and 27 on the road. ETSU faces opponents from 10 conferences, including the Southern Conference, Big South, NEC, AEC, OVC, SWAC, MAC, Patriot League, Sun Belt, and SEC.

Cheryl Milligan is in her fourth season as head coach, supported by assistant coaches Bill and Rick Wagner. The team consists of seven freshmen, eight sophomores, nine juniors, and five seniors.

2026 Schedule Highlights

ETSU opened the season with a 4-0 record at the Scotsman Invitational hosted by Presbyterian. Home conference series include UNC Greensboro (March 21-22), Western Carolina (April 3-4), Wofford (April 18-19), and Samford (April 25-26). A notable non-conference game is against Tennessee in Knoxville on April 7, and a doubleheader against Gardner-Webb on April 28.