BRANSON, MO  --  Missouri S&T Softball is dropping the Hawkins McGhee Memorial from their schedule next week in favor of the Branson Leadoff Classic. The change comes due to concerns of more winter weather that could affect play in Arkadelphia. The Miners will now face Arkansas-Monticello, Newman, Central Oklahoma, and Northwestern Oklahoma State at the Leadoff.

About the Blossoms
Arkansas-Monticello is coming off a 17-31 season, finishing their 2025 season 10th in the Great American Conference (GAC) with an 11-22 record against conference opponents. They are set to face Upper Iowa and Minnesota Crookston on Sunday, before meeting the Miners on Monday at 11am.

The Blossoms ranked last in the GAC for both batting average and earned run average (ERA) last season, ending the year with marks of .240 and 5.40, respectively. They are returning their top batter from last season with outfielder Aubree Goodnight returning for her senior season after hitting .304 in 2025.

About the Jets
Newman was 7-43 last year with a 2-22 record against Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opponents. They have been selected to finish last in the MIAA in the preseason poll.

The Jets face the Miners last season at the Washburn invitational, leading to a 14-6 run rule win for S&T. Newman was dead last in the MIAA for batting average and ERA in 2025, with their 7.45 ERA being one of the highest in all of Division II. Like Arkansas-Monticello, they are returning their top batter from last season in AJ Borja who hit .346.

About the Bronchos
Central Oklahoma was one of the best teams in the nation last year, finishing with a 54-10 record. They won the MIAA conference title and went on to win both the NCAA Central Regional and the NCAA Super Regional before being ousted from the DII Championship after losses against Tampa and Western Washington.

S&T fell to the Bronchos twice last year, first at the Washburn Invitational when UCO was #13 in the nation and again at Branson Showtime Classic when they ranked #25. They lost two major pieces from last season though, with head coach Cody White, who earned MIAA Staff of the Year honors, taking a position with North Texas and MIAA Player of the Year Terin Ritz graduating. They do return the reigning conference defensive player of the year, with senior outfielder Rylee Lemos back.

About the Rangers
Northwestern Oklahoma State finished last in the GAC last year, ending with an 8-25 conference record and going 14-36 overall. They were set to play the Miners on February 17th, but weather forced the games to be postponed indefinitely.

The Rangers lost their only all-conference performer from last season, with All-MIAA Second Teamer Rachel Sherwood graduating last May. However, they do welcome back all three of their top pitchers from last season, including Katy Jones who recorded 56 strikeouts in 29 appearances.

What's Next
Softball is set to compete at Alvy Early in Bentonville, Arkansas February 6th-8th.

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