ELON – The Elon softball team opens its 2026 season this Thursday, traveling to Chapel Hill for a four-game tournament hosted by North Carolina at Anderson Softball Stadium.
 
The Phoenix will face Saint Joseph's, James Madison and host North Carolina over the four-day event.
 
Elon was originally set to host its own tournament, the Elon Softball Classic, at Hunt Softball Park over the same span, but it was canceled due to inclement winter weather in the region and forecasted conditions over the next several days.
 
SCHEDULE (Elon Games Only)

• Thursday, Feb. 5: vs. Saint Joseph's - 11:30 a.m.
• Friday, Feb. 6: at North Carolina - 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 7: vs. James Madison - 11:30 a.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 8: vs. James Madison - 11:30 a.m.

 
FOLLOW THE PHOENIX

• Live Stats: Statbroadcast

 
LAST TIME THEY MET

• Saint Joseph's: Elon and Saint Joseph's meet for just the third time on the softball diamond Thursday, with the series tied 1-1. The Hawks earned a 3-1 win at the Elon Softball Tournament in 2017, while the Phoenix's lone victory in the series came in 2014 with a 2-1 decision.
• North Carolina: Longtime in-state rivals since 1998, Elon and North Carolina will meet for the 40th time Friday. The Tar Heels hold a 32-6-1 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last three meetings. Elon's most recent win over North Carolina came in 2022, while the Phoenix last won in Chapel Hill in 2020.
• James Madison: Former CAA foes, Elon and James Madison meet for the first time since 2023. The Dukes lead the all-time series 25-9, though the Phoenix claimed an 8-2 victory in the most recent meeting. That win marked the 278th career victory for Elon head coach Kathy Bocock, making her the program's all-time wins leader.

 
PRESEASON PRAISE

• Elon had three players named to the 2026 Preseason All-CAA Team, as announced by the league office on Jan. 27. Chloe Hatzopoulos, Greta Hessenthaler and Kayla Wilson earned preseason recognition, while the Phoenix was also selected as the favorite to win the league's newly formed South Division.
• Hatzopoulos returns as Elon's leader in home runs (11), runs scored (41) and RBI (34). The Huntersville, N.C., native batted .295 last season, earned All-CAA Second Team honors and was named to the league's All-Tournament Team after returning from injury. The redshirt senior claimed one of four outfield spots on the preseason team.
• Hessenthaler provides another key returning offensive presence after earning All-CAA First Team honors as a sophomore. The Liberty, N.C., native batted .354 while starting at second base, scoring 38 runs and recording 56 hits, including seven doubles. She also paced the Phoenix with 32 walks, added two triples and reached base safely in 34 consecutive games.
• Wilson earned Preseason All-CAA honors as a utility/non-pitcher after being named to the league's All-Rookie Team last season. The Graham, N.C., native batted .319 in 32 games with three doubles and eight RBI, highlighted by a game-winning RBI single in Elon's 5-4 victory at Delaware.
• Coming off its first-ever CAA Tournament championship, Elon was selected as the South Division favorite with four first-place votes and 23 points. Campbell finished second with 20 points and one first-place vote, followed by UNCW (17), Charleston (15, one first-place vote), N.C. A&T (8) and Hampton (7).

 
RETURNING PHOENIX

• In addition to its three preseason honorees, Elon returns 13 letterwinners and five starters from last season's squad. Lani Wyrick, Mary Moss Wirt and Teagan Baulsir each started at least 28 games in 2025, while Payton Swart and Peyton Fitzpatrick made at least 22 starts apiece.
• The Phoenix also welcome the return of Mauri Murray, who missed most of last season due to injury. The redshirt junior was a 2024 First Team All-CAA selection and earned Third Team NFCA Mid-Atlantic All-Region honors following her sophomore campaign.
• In the circle, Elon returns three pitchers with experience in Anna Dew, Lia Miller and Kyra Leonard. Miller finished third on the team with a 3.35 ERA, while Dew posted a 3.21 ERA during CAA play and tied for the team lead with two saves.

 
NEW BUT EXPERIENCE FACES

• The Phoenix added several experienced transfers to the 2026 roster in Brooke Camacho (Hawaii), Reili Gardner (Minnesota) and Chana Wolfe (Mid-America Christian University).
• A senior outfielder, Gardner appeared in 48 games during her career with Minnesota from 2022-25. Prior to her time with the Gophers, she spent her freshman and sophomore seasons at Illinois State, helping the Redbirds capture a Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title.
• A senior pitcher from Salina, Kansas, Wolfe spent three seasons at Mid-America Christian University, posting a 21-14 record with a 2.95 ERA across 201.2 innings pitched. She made 57 appearances, including 34 starts, and recorded 149 strikeouts, highlighted by 94 punchouts during the 2025 season.
• An outfielder and catcher, Camacho did not see game action during her true freshman season at Hawaii in 2025. The La Habra, California, native prepped at St. Paul High School, where she was a four-year varsity player.

 
PHOENIX HEAD COACH KATHY BOCOCK

• The winningest coach in program history, Kathy Bocock begins her 15th season at the helm of Elon Softball in 2026.
• Bocock guided the Phoenix to their first-ever CAA Tournament championship in 2025, securing the program's first conference title since 2010 and its first NCAA Regional appearance since that season.
• During her tenure at Elon, Bocock has compiled a program-record 354 wins, including five 30-win seasons. Her 21 conference victories in 2025 also set a school record. Overall, Bocock has amassed 589 career wins across her 29-year head coaching career.

 
STAY POSTED

• For further coverage of Elon Softball, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonSoftball) and Instagram (@elonsoftball).

 
ON DECK

• Elon returns home Tuesday, Feb. 10, to host Charlotte at Hunt Softball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m., with the game streaming on FloCollege.