Softball | 1/29/2026 2:00:00 PM
(Arlington, Texas – Jan. 29, 2025) - A pair of Trailblazers, senior infielder/outfielder LB Kahahawai-Kekona & sophomore catcher Kinley Pappas, were tabbed to the Preseason All-WAC team on Thursday afternoon while the Trailblazers were picked seventh in the conference.
A two-time Second Team All-WAC selection in 2024 & 2025, Kahahawai-Kekona enters her senior season after leading the Trailblazers last season hitting .351 from the plate and also topped the club in at-bats (148) & hits (52) while tying for the team lead in triples (3) & RBI (31). The Wailuku, Hawai'i native has played in 145 career games while making 139 starts and is a career .327 hitter with 142 hits, 94 runs scored, 83 RBI and 31 stolen bases.
A Eugene, Ore. native, Pappas enters her sophomore season after starting 46 of the Trailblazers' 50 games in 2025, including 29 behind the plate. Pappas led the Trailblazers in total bases with 70 & slugging percentage (.483), tied for second on the team in home runs (3) and ranked third on the team in batting average (.345), at-bats (145), runs (27), hits (50), doubles (7) & RBI (28).
With 2025 WAC regular season and tournament champion Grand Canyon departing from th WAC, last season's regular season & tournament runner-up Tarleton State was picked first with 32 points along with four first-place votes.
California Baptist (27) was selected second with the poll rounded out by UT Arlington (24), Utah Valley (23), Southern Utah (19), Abilene Christian (16) and Utah Tech (6).
The Trailblazers open the 2026 season next weekend at the Louisville Slugger Invitational hosted in Southern California on Feb. 6-8.
2026 WAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st-Place Votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Tarleton State (4) |
32 |
| 2. |
California Baptist (1) |
27 |
| 3. |
UT Arlington (1) |
24 |
| 4. |
Utah Valley (1) |
23 |
| 5. |
Southern Utah |
19 |
| 6. |
Abilene Christian |
16 |
| 7. |
Utah Tech |
6 |
2026 WAC Preseason Co-Players of the Year
Arianna Ramirez, Jr., IF, Southern Utah
Shelby Schultz, So., LHP, Tarleton State
2026 WAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Shelby Schultz, So., Tarleton State
2026 Preseason All-WAC Team
Ashlee Annett, Sr., 3B, California Baptist
Miranda De Nava, So., RHP, California Baptist
Matti Severns, Jr., Utl., California Baptist
Arianna Ramirez, Jr., IF, Southern Utah
Michaella Salvatierra, So., OF, Southern Utah
Shelby Schultz, So., LHP, Tarleton State
Kailee Bautista, Sr., C, UT Arlington
Mia McNulty, Jr., C/Utl., UT Arlington
LB Kahahawai-Kekona, Sr., SS/OF, Utah Tech
Kinley Pappas, So., C/1B, Utah Tech
Britney Moreno, Sr., IF, Utah Valley
