Texas A&M Softball Kicks Off Season at Aggie Classic

Aggies look to rebound from 2025 NCAA regional disappointment with new identity and pitching staff

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Texas A&M softball team is set to open its 2026 season this weekend at the Aggie Classic tournament. After a 2025 campaign that saw the Aggies reach No. 1 in the polls before a disappointing end in the NCAA regionals, the team has a new mindset and is looking to establish a fresh identity. A&M will use the tournament to evaluate its pitching rotation and lineup, including a marquee matchup against No. 1 Texas Tech on Saturday.

Why it matters

Texas A&M softball has been one of the top programs in the country in recent years, but the abrupt end to their 2025 season left the team with unfinished business. The Aggies are looking to bounce back and prove they can compete with the nation's elite, including a loaded Texas Tech squad that is expected to be a national title contender.

The details

The Aggies will play a doubleheader against Abilene Christian and Utah State on Thursday, followed by games against Providence on Friday and Sunday. The marquee matchup is a Saturday showdown with No. 1 Texas Tech, led by star pitcher NiJaree Canady. A&M will rely on a diverse pitching staff, including Missouri transfer Taylor Pannell, to replace the production of departed ace Emiley Kennedy. Offensively, junior Mya Perez will look to build on her 16 home runs and 73 RBIs from last season.

  • The Aggie Classic tournament runs from Thursday, February 5 to Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • Texas A&M will face No. 1 Texas Tech on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The players

Kennedy Powell

A senior third baseman for Texas A&M softball.

Mya Perez

A junior first baseman/designated player for Texas A&M, a member of the All-SEC Preseason Team who hit 16 home runs and drove in a school-record 73 RBIs last season.

NiJaree Canady

A senior right-handed pitcher for No. 1 Texas Tech, expected to be one of the top players in the country.

Trisha Ford

The head coach of the Texas A&M softball team.

Sydney Lessentine

A sophomore right-handed pitcher for Texas A&M.

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What they’re saying

“We're like, man, we got Tech on Saturday. That's crazy to open up the season. I mean, we are excited to play. We're excited to not be playing each other. … It's so much fun to be a part of such a big matchup like that that everyone's been looking forward to. So I think, you know, we're ready, and we're excited to play.”

— Kennedy Powell, senior third baseman (thebatt.com)

“Our saying this year is 'one circle, one standard.' Pitching staff together, we're all in it together. We're going to work together to beat teams. So I'm just excited to see how we all work.”

— Sydney Lessentine, sophomore right-handed pitcher (thebatt.com)

“I think that's what's so great about Texas A&M is there's no egos. We just want to do really well. We want to work our tails off, and we want to put a good product on the field, on our court, whatever it is, for the 12th man because we feel like they deserve it.”

— Trisha Ford, head coach (thebatt.com)

What’s next

The Aggies will look to build momentum from the Aggie Classic as they prepare for the start of SEC play later in the season.

The takeaway

After a disappointing end to the 2025 season, Texas A&M softball is focused on establishing a new identity and culture for the program. The Aggies will use the Aggie Classic as an opportunity to evaluate their revamped pitching staff and lineup, with an eye towards proving they can compete with the nation's elite teams like Texas Tech.