DAYTON – University of Dayton softball head coach Cara Clark has announced the Flyers' 2026 schedule, a slate that includes matchups against six teams that qualified for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

"We are eager to begin the 2026 schedule following a productive fall exhibition season," commented coach Clark. "This slate of opponents will present a variety of challenges and opportunities for development. Competing deep into the postseason is our goal and this high-level schedule will thoroughly prepare us."

The upcoming schedule will kickoff with back-to-back trips to the Carolinas. On opening weekend, Dayton will be in Clinton, S.C., for Presbyterian's Blue Hose Invitational Feb. 6-8. UD is will play a total of five games against Le Moyne, Morehead State, Western Michigan and host Presbyterian at PC Softball Complex. The following weekend the Flyers will take part in Elon's Phoenix Invitational Feb. 13-15 in Elon, N.C. Dayton is set to match up against Manhattan, Mount St. Mary's and host Elon.

At the end of February, Dayton will head down to Lexington for Kentucky's John Cropp Classic Feb. 27-March 1. UD will play Murray State and host Kentucky twice in addition to a single game against Michigan State at John Cropp Stadium.

Atlantic 10 Conference play gets underway March 7-8 as Dayton welcomes Loyola Chicago to UD Softball Stadium for the team's home opener followed by a single game at home against Western Michigan on March 11. Back on the road for its next four games, UD will be at Fordham March 14-15 for a three-game series and at Ohio for one on March 18.

The Flyers will host the George Washington Revolutionaries March 21-22 for three conference games and will welcome Northern Kentucky to campus for a midweek matchup in the Gem City.

Dayton will then have an eight-game road stretch starting with a neutral-site game against Cal at Ohio State on March 25 followed by a three-game stop at George Mason March 28-29 in Fairfax, Va. The following week, Dayton will play games at Ohio State (4/1), Providence (4/2) and Rhode Island (4/3-4).

Up next is a single game against IU Indy at UD Softball Stadium on April 7 ahead of a three-game A-10 set against St. Bonaventure in Dayton April 11-12. The following weekend, Dayton will head west to take on Saint Louis April 18-19 for three conference games. UD is set to play a single game at Butler April 22 and a doubleheader at Pitt April 25.

The Flyers will close out the regular season at home with single games against Miami (Ohio) on April 28 and Akron April 29 before three games against Saint Joseph's May 2-3 in Dayton.

The 2026 Atlantic 10 Championship will be played May 6-9 in St. Louis, hosted by the SLU Billikens. The NCAA Tournament will get underway May 14-16 with Regional sites to be determined.

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