UMD Softball Hoping Tough Schedule Leads to NCAA Tournament Return

The Bulldogs are entering year two under head coach Nat Wagner, who guided the team to a 39 and 17 record in his debut season.

DULUTH, Minn.- Hard to believe but on Friday the UMD softball team will begin their 2026 campaign as they’ll go down to Texas to play in the Lone Star D2 College Classic.

The Bulldogs are entering year two under head coach Nat Wagner, who guided the team to a 39 and 17 record in his debut season.

In the team’s first five games this year, four are against NCAA tournament teams from a year ago.

Head Coach Nat Wagner says that will help his team try to achieve their goal of getting back to the big dance after only missing it by a razor thin margin in 2025.

“You know I think we’ve got talent but a lot of things have to fall in place. So being in the Northern Sun, it helps iron sharpen iron and it’s just going to help us. We have a tough schedule by design and I also think that’s going to set us up for a good conference run as well,” said Wagner.

“It’s good motivation for us to continue to work hard and continue to try and outwork our competition, just to try and reach it all the way to the top,” added catcher and infielder Kendal Jenkins.

UMD’s first game of the day on Friday will come against Eastern New Mexico, a team out of the Lone Star Conference.

Their first game in Duluth is scheduled for March 21st against Wayne State.