Whitecaps softball looks for another title run in 2026

The Galveston College Whitecaps softball team enters the 2026 season after finishing the 2025 spring campaign as the Region 14 South Conference co-champions. The title marked the third consecutive conference title for the program and its third straight qualification for the Region 14 Regional Tournament.

 

GC concluded the 2025 season with a 32–14 overall record and returns seven sophomores from last year's roster. The 2026 team will also feature 16 incoming freshmen, with student-athletes representing Canada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.

 

"This group has been working hard both academically and athletically, and they've approached preparation the right way," said GC Head Softball Coach, Kelly Raines. "We've seen strong effort on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room."

 

The Whitecaps played 10 fall dates in preparation for the spring season and will compete in a 54-game schedule during the 2026 spring campaign. The non-conference home schedule includes Howard College, Ranger College, Cisco College, Monroe University (New York), Temple College and LSU–Eunice. GC will also face Western Texas College at a neutral site in Austin.

 

Non-conference road games are scheduled against St. Thomas University, Kilgore College, Bossier Parish Community College, Tyler Junior College and Baton Rouge Community College.

 

Region 14 South Conference play will include home-and-away matchups against Lamar State College–Port Arthur, Blinn College, Alvin College, Angelina College, Coastal Bend College and San Jacinto College–South.

 

"Our fall and non-conference schedules were designed to challenge us and prepare us for conference play," said Raines. "That experience is important as we move into the heart of the season."

 

Leadership from the sophomore class has played a key role in the team's preparation, while the freshman class has transitioned into the program during the fall and preseason workouts.

 

"Our sophomores have set the tone both on and off the field, and our freshmen have responded well to expectations," said Raines. "They've represented Galveston College and our athletic program with professionalism."

 

Raines returns for her fifth season as head coach of the Whitecaps, with assistant coach Rome McNary entering his fourth season on staff. The GC Softball program was established in 1998–99 under founding head coach Ken Delcambre.

"We want to continue building on the foundation that Coach Delcambre and our alumni established and represent Galveston College and the city of Galveston the right way," said Raines.

 

The 2026 Region 14 Regional Tournament is scheduled for May 13–16 at San Jacinto College–South in Houston. The NJCAA Division I Softball National Tournament will be held May 25–31 in Oxford, Alabama.