Hawai'i Softball Heads to Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

Rainbow Wahine to face ranked opponents BYU, Duke, Nebraska, and Oregon State over three-day tournament

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The University of Hawai'i softball team (5-4) will continue its two-week road trip by competing in the 2026 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. Over three days, the Rainbow Wahine will face off against BYU (1-8), 20th-ranked Duke (7-3), 10th-ranked Nebraska (6-4), Oregon State (4-6), and Saint Mary's (5-3), as well as an exhibition game against Team Japan.

Why it matters

The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic is one of the premier early-season softball tournaments, featuring many of the top teams in the country. This will be an important test for the Rainbow Wahine as they prepare for conference play in the Big West.

The details

Hawai'i will open the tournament with a doubleheader against BYU and Duke on Thursday. On Friday, they'll face Nebraska and Oregon State. The 'Bows will wrap up the tournament on Saturday with a doubleheader against Saint Mary's, followed by an exhibition game against Team Japan.

  • The 2026 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic will take place from Thursday, February 19th to Saturday, February 21st.
  • Hawai'i's first game is a doubleheader against BYU and Duke on Thursday, February 19th.
  • The Rainbow Wahine will face Nebraska and Oregon State on Friday, February 20th.
  • Hawai'i will conclude the tournament with a doubleheader against Saint Mary's on Saturday, February 21st, followed by an exhibition game against Team Japan.

The players

Panita Thanatharn

First-year head coach of the University of Hawai'i softball team.

Gorge Eakin

24-year head coach of the BYU softball team.

Marissa Young

17th-year head coach of the Duke softball team.

Rhonda Revelle

34th-year head coach of the Nebraska softball team.

Laura Berg

13th-year head coach of the Oregon State softball team.

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What they’re saying

“The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic is one of the premier early-season softball tournaments, featuring many of the top teams in the country. This will be an important test for the Rainbow Wahine as they prepare for conference play in the Big West.”

— Panita Thanatharn, First-year head coach, University of Hawai'i softball (hawaiiathletics.com)

What’s next

The Rainbow Wahine will return to Hawai'i after the tournament to prepare for their Big West conference opener against UC Santa Barbara on February 27th.

The takeaway

The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic provides the University of Hawai'i softball team an early-season opportunity to test themselves against some of the top programs in the country, which will be crucial as they look to build momentum heading into Big West play.