The California Golden Bears softball team will start their 2026 season this weekend at the Stanford Invitational. The team is entering a period of transition, featuring a new head coach, significant roster changes, and a season played away from their traditional home field.
Steve Singleton has been appointed as the ninth head coach in program history. Previously, he was an associate head coach at Texas, where he contributed to the Longhorns’ victory in the 2025 NCAA championship. Singleton also brings experience from three years coaching in minor league baseball and collegiate stints at Florida Southwestern State. He was recognized as D1 Softball’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024.
Singleton has introduced 15 newcomers to the team for this season. The roster now includes five freshmen: outfielder Sophia Rolon, infielders Nina Peyton-Johnson and Jade Diaz, pitcher/utility player Mya McGowan, and outfielder Sophia Everett. Eight players are returning from last year’s squad: infielder/utility Xiomei Geluz, utility D’Auna Johnson, infielder/outfielder Carly Raven, outfielder Kayli Counts, infielder Harmony Andrade, pitcher Kiki Mashhoud, catcher Alyssa Herrera, and infielder/outfielder Kyndal Todd.
Additionally, Cal has added ten transfers to its roster. Seven come from Power 4 Conference schools: infielder Gator Robinson (Boston College), catcher Anya German (Texas Tech), outfielder Kayla Lee (North Carolina), catcher/utility Natalie Marshall (Kansas), pitcher Layna Gerhard (Ohio State), infielder Emma Jackson (Boston College), and pitcher Tamya Waiters. Other incoming transfers include infielder Anaya Togia (Long Beach CC), infielder Maddie Rey (Fresno State), and pitcher Taylor Peacock (San Jose State).
The Bears will play four “home” ACC series at alternate venues while renovations are underway at The Cal Softball Field; three series will be held at West Valley College in Saratoga and one at Sacramento State. There will be no nonconference home games this season.
Cal softball has made 36 NCAA Tournament appearances historically—ranking fourth behind UCLA, Arizona, and Florida State—and has advanced to each of the past three NCAA Regionals. The program has qualified for the Women’s College World Series 12 times and won the NCAA championship in 2002.
“Steve Singleton was named the ninth head coach of the California softball program on Aug. 4, 2025. A former minor league baseball player and a native of nearby Oakland, Singleton spent three years coaching in professional baseball in the lower levels of the minors before being named an assistant coach at Texas in 2019. He ultimately was elevated to associate head coach and helped the Longhorns make three WCWS appearances. Singleton, who also coached collegiately at Florida Southwestern State, was named D1 Softball’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024.”
For updates throughout the season fans can follow Cal softball on X (@CalSB), Instagram (@CalSB) or Facebook (@CalSoftball).
