GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - With first pitch set for Feb. 19 in Illinois, the Davenport University softball program is gearing up for a retooled 2026 campaign. After graduating just two seniors from the 2025 season, the Panthers return the bulk of their roster while adding new pieces, welcoming back 14 returners alongside nine true freshmen and six transfers.

Davenport welcomes several new faces to its coaching staff as first-year head coach Brad Koch takes the helm. He is joined by assistant and pitching coach Jon Gwizdala, who returns to Davenport, along with Jacki Anderson, Mike Gruppen, Kaycee Loehr and Savanna Disbrow. Koch and Anderson both arrive from Aquinas College, while Gwizdala previously served as head coach at Jackson College and as a pitching coach at the University of Toledo. Gruppen comes from Cornerstone University. Loehr returns for her second season as an assistant after completing her collegiate career at DU, and Disbrow joins the staff following her final season as a Panther in 2025.

Top Returners 
Seniors Ally Prasnjak and Kailyne Luna return as two of Davenport's key contributors heading into the 2026 season. Prasnjak was one of just three Panthers to start all 48 games last year, leading the team in batting average (.289), RBIs (25), total bases (65), home runs (4) and doubles (12). Luna. also one of three Panthers to start all 48 games last season, looks to make an impact on both sides of the ball in her final season with DU, anchoring the hot corner after committing just eight errors across 192 total chances in 2025.

Alongside Luna and Prasnjak, Davenport welcomes back seniors Alex Rendon, Kylie Hegland and Darby Kramp. Rendon made 10 starts a season ago, finishing 9-for-32 at the plate, and will look to build on that production in her final year in Panther red and black. A steady presence in the outfield, the senior posted a .909 fielding percentage during the 2025 campaign.

Hegland and Kramp will look to make an impact in their senior campaigns after both saw their 2025 seasons cut short due to season-ending injuries.

In the circle, Davenport welcomes back two dominant arms in junior Hailey Whisman and sophomore Hannah Tahaney, while sophomore Alaina Schwanke looks to add depth and log additional innings this season.

Whisman posted a 10–12 record during her sophomore campaign, logging a career-high 135 innings across 27 appearances. She faced 619 batters, struck out 81 and finished with a 3.73 ERA. The junior surpassed the 100-career strikeout mark last season and now owns 135 strikeouts through her first two seasons as a Panther.

Tahaney appeared in 25 games as a true freshman, making 19 starts and posting a 7–11 record. She struck out 45 batters across 91.1 innings while recording a 3.99 ERA.

Davenport also welcomes back Grace Gilbert, Madison Cole, Hannah Maurer, Julia Perry, Peyton Smith and Mariah Stines.

Newcomers 
Davenport adds 15 new faces to the roster for the 2026 season, highlighted by a class of 19 true freshmen: Cali D'Amour, Sydney Drenth, Chloe Bruman, Jordan Empie, Olivia Ransbottom, Randi Rabakowski, Kayla Widner, Olivia Root and Lyla Reynolds.

The Panthers also welcome six newcomers from junior colleges and the transfer portal, including Savanna Clark (Macomb CC), Lexie McCarty (Lake Michigan CC), Chloe Parker (Central Michigan), Ashley Sturgill (Ohio University) and Colette Sutton (Siena Heights).

Schedule Breakdown 
With 19 nonconference games scheduled before GLIAC play begins March 21 against Wayne State, the Panthers will open the season with a Midwest trip to Springfield, Ill. Davenport will face GMAC opponents Ohio Dominican and Illinois Springfield in doubleheaders on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 before heading to the Sunshine State for 12 games against a mix of CCAC, NSIC and GMAC opponents from Feb. 27–March 6.

The Panthers will then return to the Midwest for a three-game stretch in Findlay, Ohio, from March 13–15. From there, Davenport shifts its focus to 14 conference matchups, with a nonconference contest against Northwood mixed in on April 22.

2026 GLIAC Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll
 

1. Saginaw Valley State			49 (7)
2. Grand Valley State			39 (1)
3. Ferris State			37
4. Parkside			35
5. Wayne State			21
6T. Davenport			18
6T. Roosevelt			18
8. Purdue Northwest			7